The
Cardiomyopathy
Association

A man with dilated cardiomyopathy, his family and friends have raised around £900 for the CMA by taking part in a half marathon and 10 mile walk in Northern Ireland last Friday (July 2nd).

Mo Mckeown, a 46-year-old civil servant, from The Chanderies, Greyabbey, County Down, who was diagnosed with the condition last year, took part in the Ards event at Newtownards with his wife Jackie, a 45-year-old civil servant, their 17-year-old son Dean and daughter Lydia, aged 15, and both students, sister-in-law Charmaine Cooke, 39, Charmaine’s friend Tracey Steel, also 39, and Jackie’s workmate Grant Gifford, aged 41, his wife Coral, 36, and daughter Alex, also aged 17.

They were raising money for the Cardiomyopathy Association, a charity that provides information and support to families affected by the condition.

Mo, who sought advice from his doctor before taking part in the ten-mile walk, said: “We wanted to help the charity to continue providing practical support and advice to sufferers of all types of this disease. Without the continuing selfless input from the Cardiomyopathy Association, many patients and their families would be less equipped to deal with the illness and it's far reaching effects.”

Mo said he also wanted to raise awareness of the illness as before diagnosis he had not heard of it. 

He said: “We are really grateful to everyone who has sponsored us as without them it would have been a pointless exercise.”

Pictured from left to right  (back row) Tracey, Alex, Grant, Coral, Mo, Lydia, Dean, (front row) Charmaine and Jacqui. Coral, Dean, Jacqui and Charmaine completed the half marathon while the others did the walk.

♥ If you would like to take part in a walk or run for the CMA, email Robert Hall