On his fifty-fifth birthday in 2012, Eugene Winters set himself a challenge, a marathon challenge. He decided to complete the daunting task of running 300 official marathons in 300 weeks.

Oggie, as he’s known to his friends, hails from Portstewart and has always been active but had never attempted running 26.2 miles before. So, aged 55 he sailed through his first marathon in Belfast. Almost 300 weeks later, countless pairs of running shoes and many miles tread, he has reached his goal of 300 marathons. In fact, it only took him 270 weeks to achieve!

Some of Oggie’s highlights include running 85 marathons in 2014, 61 in 2015 and a massive 95 in 2016. The remarkable runner has completed all the ‘Marathon Majors’ – the London, Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo marathons. He twice ran 10 marathons in 10 days and also took part in the Hell of the Hill Endurance event which involves running five of the toughest marathons in the UK, in five days. He’s also been a regular ‘back to back’, ‘treble’ and ‘quad’ runner, meaning running marathons two, three & four days in a row. In 2016 he successfully ran the Victoria Park endurance event in Belfast, running 100 miles in 24 hours.

Eugene is a member of several elite marathon clubs around the world including the Marathon Globetrotters, Marathon Club Ireland, the 100 Marathon Club, UK and the Super Marathon Club, Italy. His best time was the recent Newry marathon which he finished in an impressive 3 hours 37 minutes, enabling him to qualify for next year’s London Marathon in the ‘Good for Age’ Category.

Describing his achievement Oggie said, “It was very tough going at times, and I struggled to complete some of the marathons. I ran through injury at a few events and I had to rely on my own mental strength and toughness to get me through.

“I hope that my efforts will maybe inspire other people to go out and do something active. I firmly believe exercising and keeping active can help not just our physical health but our mental health too. I started out at 15 ½ stone and I’m now down to 11 ½ stone, feeling much better both physically and mentally.

“When I had completed the 300 marathons in 270 weeks, beating my own challenge of 300 weeks I thought what better way to celebrate than to donate some money to Action Mental Health, to help support the vital work they do across Northern Ireland.”

Jonathan Smyth, Fundraising & Communications Manager, Action Mental Health said, “Oggie got in touch with us to pass on his really generous donation and I was completely staggered at what I heard! Everyone in the office was in awe of his achievement. What he has accomplished is truly amazing.

“We all know that taking part in some form of physical activity is good for our bodies, but at Action Mental Health we also highlight the advantages it can have on our mental and emotional well-being too. Oggie’s strength of character and tenacity is a real inspiration to us all and we are very grateful that he chose to donate to Action Mental Health.”

 Coleraine v Linfield, The Oval, Belfast, 5 August 2017, Kick-Off: 3pm

Action Mental Health is delighted to be the nominated beneficiary for this year’s Charity Shield.

The reigning Danske Bank Premiership champions, Linfield will face last season’s Irish Cup finalists Coleraine in the Action Mental Health Charity Shield on 5 August.

The game at the Oval, Belfast, will benefit Action Mental Health as the nominated charity of NIFL sponsor Danske Bank.

Linfield and Coleraine will be hoping to commence the season in a positive fashion in advance of their opening Danske Bank Premiership fixtures on Saturday, 12 August 2017.

David Babington, AMH Chief Executive said, “Events such as the Charity Shield are of vital importance in raising awareness of mental health in Northern Ireland and the gesture from players, clubs and supporters is greatly appreciated throughout our organisation.” 

Andrew Johnston, NIFL Managing Director, is delighted that Action Mental Health will benefit from gate receipts generated from the game. He said: “To be able to support such a fantastic charity as Action Mental Health is very important for the NIFL. This game will not only be a success on the pitch as both Linfield and Coleraine will want to put in a good performance ahead of the Danske Bank Premiership kick off a week later, but off the pitch the match should raise many thousands of pounds for AMH.  We are delighted to be able to raise awareness of mental health and the issues it presents, especially within football, and for the NIFL to be able to raise so much money for charity just shows how worthwhile this match is for everyone involved.”

Entry to the game will be £8 adult, £5 for 12-16 years-old, U12s enjoy free admission.

Our thanks goes to everyone involved and best of luck to both teams!

Clients and staff from AMH New Horizons Fermanagh were celebrating this week with a BBQ in the Serenity Garden at their base in Enniskillen.

AMH New Horizons Fermanagh was established in 1991 and was initially based in Enniskillen town centre. In 1992 the service relocated to its current site in Cherrymount Road, Drumcoo, Enniskillen.

AMH New Horizons Fermanagh works in the community to improve the health and well-being of people, changing the lives of those living with mental ill-health and promoting resilience and well-being. Action Mental Health has grown to be the largest mental health charity in Northern Ireland.

The project is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy, and the Western Health and Social Care Trust. The development of the Serenity Garden was taken forward by the Time Out Programme funded by the Big Lottery through the Western Regional Alcohol Programme.

Caroline Ferguson, Service Manager, has been with AMH New Horizons Fermanagh since it first opened its doors. Reflecting on the past 25 years Caroline said, “It’s wonderful to reflect back on the past 25 years and to see how the service has grown and developed. We opened our doors here in 1991 with 12 clients and today we have more than 150 people availing of our services though AMH New Horizons and the Men’s Shed.  Our staff team, several of whom have been with us since 1991,  are enthusiastic and excited about continuing to deliver high quality, innovative programmes to local people.”

Find out more about AMH New Horizons.

Now in its sixth year the 55 mile charity cycle is taking place on 8 October.

The cycle starts in the cathedral town of Downpatrick, cycling via Tyrella towards Dundrum, along the coast road through the seaside town of Newcastle towards Annalong. Then it’s up into the Mourne Mountains, past Silent Valley and then downhill towards home through Bryansford, Maghera and Clough.

View the route at www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1599665740

Sign up now at www.granitechallenge17.eventbrite.co.uk

Please note: due to health and safety we have changed the beginning of the route.

Action Mental Health is delighted to announce our charity partnership with Fat Face, Belfast.

Fat Face have signed up to make a real difference to people living with mental ill-health across Northern Ireland.

Fat Face is a fashionable chain retailer selling outdoor casual wear and accessories for men, women and children. Fat Face proudly design and make clothes that reflect the happy, healthy lifestyles of their customers.

The branch in Victoria Square, Belfast will be raising funds and awareness of mental health over the coming months.

We are delighted to have Fat Face on board and look forward to working together.