Stormont Mile returns for 2024 and The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity is calling on the public and local businesses to run, walk or jog and raise funds to support children and young people in Northern Ireland living with cancer.

The popular event, now in its third year, will take place on Sunday 29th September and will once again be run in association with headline sponsor, Hagan Homes. Participants have the option to run or walk down the one-mile Prince of Wales Avenue and there will be a dedicated children’s race at the end.

Irish athlete and recent European 1500m champion, Ciara Mageean will continue her role as Stormont Mile ambassador and will be joining The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity on the day, following her Olympic campaign this summer. Mageean is encouraging people to get behind this year’s event and join the charity for a day of fun and exercise at their own pace.

Helping to launch this year’s Stormont Mile event was nine-year-old Annabel McCartney who, earlier this year, rang the bell to mark the end of her treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. Annabel’s mum Sharon described the support they had received from The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity:

“Annabel was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in November 2021, aged six. The news and the journey that followed had a huge impact on our family and Annabel worried a lot about her treatment. Thanks to the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity we were introduced to the Play Team in the hospital, and they worked with Annabel on the ward and in the outpatients’ clinic. We also had a fantastic Play Specialist, Naomi, who visited us at home and really helped to alleviate Annabel’s anxieties. We would have been lost without this invaluable service.

“We are delighted to be supporting this year’s Stormont Mile event as CCUC has supported us immensely throughout Annabel’s difficult journey. We hope to see as many people as possible signing up to take part so that other families and children like Annabel will continue to receive the support they need to help them through their journey.”

Jane Hoare, Chief Executive at The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity said:

“We are really looking forward to Stormont Mile in September and are excited to welcome families, friends and supporters along for what promises to be a great fun day out. We are thrilled that Ciara Mageean will be joining us again on the day, particularly given her recent success in the European Athletics Championships and her upcoming Olympic campaign.

“The money raised from Stormont Mile will go a long way to supporting the work of the Children’s Cancer Unit in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children by funding staffing and specialised care, equipment and infrastructure and research and will allow us to provide a range of support services for children and young people and their families in Northern Ireland facing a cancer diagnosis.”

John Toner, Finance Director at the event’s lead sponsor, Hagan Homes added:

“Hagan Homes is delighted to continue its partnership with The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, and we look forward to another great Stormont Mile event. At Hagan Homes, giving back to local communities is part of our makeup and supporting a fantastic charity like CCUC, who work tirelessly to ensure that children and young people and their families receive the best care possible during the most difficult time, allows us to do just that. I encourage everyone to get behind this great event and show their support for children and young people facing cancer- it will be a great day out.”

Stormont Mile begins at 12 noon on 29th September and following the main event and kids’ race, there will be fun for the whole family to enjoy including bouncy castles, face painters, food trucks, etc.

For all the information and to register, visit the Stormont Mile web page.