Volunteering…the gift that keeps on giving

Volunteering lets us give back to our communities and make a meaningful difference. Whether it’s supporting a neighbour, offering your skills or time to others, volunteering spreads kindness. This Volunteers’ Week we want to acknowledge and thank volunteers who support the getactiveabc ethos of helping people of all ages and abilities across our borough to get active, moving and outdoors by volunteering at the weekly Parkrun events in Armagh, Craigavon and Lurgan!

Keelin McCone, Armagh Parkrun

The community spirit, camaraderie and craic are just some of the things that Keelin McCone loves about volunteering at Armagh Parkrun! Since 2017 Keelin has been a regular parkrun runner until an injury forced her out of action for a while.

Determined to stick to her Saturday morning routine of being up and at it early, Keelin offered to volunteer at Parkrun. She is currently a member of the core volunteering team, helping with scanning, tokens, timing and more.

Keelin says “Volunteering is very rewarding and everyone taking part – runners, walkers and organisers – are appreciative of the help of all volunteers. Parkrun is dependant on the support of volunteers so it’s nice to know that I am making a difference.”

Parkrun is also a family affair for the McCone’s, with Keelin’s husband Brian and aunt taking part as well as their young sons (name) (12) and (name) (8) who regularly help with the event set-up, such as setting out cones to mark the route and scanning, showing that small hands can help big! The boys are also delighted when they receive their Parkrun email of thanks and a mention on Facebook for volunteering.

Anna & Ailbhe McDaid, Lurgan Parkrun

Lurgan Park Parkrun is only 4 weeks on the go but it’s already off to a flying start! Anna McDaid from Lurgan has come on board as a volunteer and her 5-year-old Ailbhe is often by her side, helping to marshal and encourage the joggers, runners, walkers and wheelers on their 5k journey around Lurgan Park.

Anna says “My dad Dwyer is one of the founders of the Lurgan Park Parkrun so it’s been great to be involved in helping to get it up and running! Everyone taking part is grateful for the support and encouragement of the volunteers, which can be a much-needed boost when the legs are tired along the course!”

Young Ailbhe is no stranger to Parkrun! For a year now she has been taking part in the Junior Parkrun at Lurgan Park on Sunday mornings, which sees young kids aged 4-14 years run a 2k route around the park, accompanied by an adult. At a young age, Ailbhe knows the important role that volunteers play in making Parkrun happen!

The McGurran Family, Citypark Parkrun, Craigavon

When you join a Parkrun, you’re joining a family of likeminded people who support each other to thrive! If you’re looking to be part of something big and rewarding, have a think about volunteering at your local Parkrun.

Marina says “As a dog owning family, we used to walk around Craigavon Lakes on a Saturday morning and wonder where all the crazy runners had come from! After completing the Couch to 5K programme (at the suggestion of our eldest daughter) we joined them! The atmosphere and encouragement from the volunteers and participants even from that first run was fabulous. We were immediately hooked!

“Parkrun only operates if there are enough volunteers and having watched some participants turn up to run but volunteer instead to ensure everyone else could have a safe run, we felt it was important to take our turn. In August 2015 we volunteered for the first time and enjoyed it so much that we have been volunteering regularly ever since.

“Eventually two of our kids joined us – one as a regular volunteer and one as a runner and when Lurgan Junior parkrun started in 2018, the four of us volunteered on a regular basis.

“Parkrun and Junior parkrun have made a huge difference to us as a family and not just from a fitness perspective. Our youngest child never left the house other than to go to school, but now runs at least 3 times/wk. He has gone from someone who never spoke to anyone outside our family to helping out at parkrun in various roles!

“The friendships we have made and the atmosphere at Citypark mean that Saturday isn’t Saturday without parkrun with Sundays starting with volunteering at Lurgan Junior Parkrun.

“We have gone from a family who walked occasionally, to a family who have completed 925 parkruns, but more importantly, have 1954 volunteer credits between us. Whether it’s welcoming new runners, taking on pacer duties, encouraging others around the course or volunteering in some of the many other roles that help make Citypark Parkrun such a positive and friendly event, I would have to say that volunteering is the gift that keeps on giving and when you see all the smiling faces as participants achieve their goals, you just want to come back the next week and do it all over again. The difference it has made to the physical and mental health of our whole family cannot be underestimated and I would recommend it to anyone!”

Click here to find out more about getting involved in your local Parkrun.