Asda Antrim team raise more than £5,000 for Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke

A dedicated team of colleagues at Asda Antrim have raised more than £5,000 for Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke with a series of fundraising challenges.

'It's now a moral issue because it's the water that we all drink' - Lough Neagh ...

Six brave colleagues kicked things off with a hair-raising sponsored skydive at Movenagh Airfield, Garvagh.

Asda colleagues Scott Weir, Maggie Watt, Heather Welsh, Constance Hogg, Georgia Steele and Joshua Kyle-Ewing

“When the idea of the skydive first came up, I happily volunteered, but I think the nerves started to set in as I realised what I’d actually agreed to!” said Warehouse Colleague Joshua Kyle-Ewing, who took on the challenge alongside co-workers Scott Weir, Maggie Watt, Heather Welsh, Constance Hogg and Georgia Steele.

Asda Antrim colleague Glenn Burgess at the Belfast Half Marathon

“I was so nervous the entire drive over, but it was hands down one of the best things I’ve ever done!” the 20-year-old added.

Together, the six skydivers raised almost £4,000 for the Belfast-based charity, which works to prevent chest, heart and stroke illnesses through providing health checks and community awareness programmes as well as provide physical rehabilitation and family care and support for survivors and carers.

After the skydive challenge, the Asda Antrim team soon swapped their parachutes for pavements, taking on the Belfast Half Marathon, with Georgia joined this time by colleagues Glenn Burgess, Ricky Simpson and Laura McQuitty to complete the 21.1km route.

Georgia, 24, said: “I did a skydive about nine years ago, so I was ready for it, but the half marathon was a completely new challenge for me.

Colleagues Georgia Steele, Ricky Simpson and Laura McQuitty

"Having my colleagues running alongside me and the amazing buzz of the city really helped carry me across the finish line. It felt incredible knowing I had completed it for such an important cause.”

For Ambient Replenishment Manager Ricky, lacing up his trainers for the half marathon to support the charity had a very personal meaning.

Ricky, 41, said: “Chest, Heart and Stroke were so incredible in their support of my own family at the start of this year. So, when fundraising activities came up, it was an absolute no-brainer.”

Asda Antrim’s Community and Customer Champion, Ashley Ritchie, was there to support the runners, whose fundraising brought the overall store total over £5,000.

She said: “It was my absolute pleasure to be able to be there and cheer these guys across the finish line - they should all be very proud of themselves.”