Janet running 4km a day in her Shankill garden to help Purple House
SHANKILL woman Janet Smith (74) is well on her way to running two marathons in three weeks, in her back garden, to raise money for Purple House.
Janet is a long-standing member of the fundraising team for the cancer support charity.
The inspirational woman has set herself the challenge of running and walking at least 4km each day, and potentially more, to support Purple House. She has exceeded her target most days and already completed a full marathon.
Janet said that Purple House means a huge amount to herself and her husband William. William had prostate cancer and both he and his wife have availed of the services.
People can donate to her garden marathon at idonate. ie/JanetSmith.
‘I love walking and I usually walk every day in Shangannagh Park,’ said Janet. ‘I’m cocooned now. I’ve been going around the garden and up and down the stairs to stay active.’
It occurred to her that it would be a great opportunity to raise some money. ‘I suggested it to Veronica (O’Leary) at Purple House. I decided to challenge myself to do a certain amount over three weeks.’
Janet said that it is lovely to have a challenge to keep her occupied and avoid boredom. ‘I’m healthy so I can do it,’ she said, adding that if she didn’t get moving she could quite easily turn into a couch potato.
She is missing her friends, including those she sees at line dancing on a Wednesday night, and misses her grandchildren even more. Janet and William have six grandchildren, ranging in age from 24 down to 7.
They have been able to see them out the front, at a distance. ‘I just wanted to run and hug them tight,’ said Janet. As well as plenty of hugs, another something special to look forward to in the future will be a celebration of the coming marriage of her son Derek and his partner Dafi. They live in Sydney had hoped to get married in Ireland but may have to change their plans and hold a big party here when they can.
Janet’s three children are extremely proud of their mum, as is her husband William, who has been encouraging her no end. William is also a keen walker and missing getting out and about. He is keeping himself occupied with plenty of jobs.
‘When I’m out in the back garden I can appreciate the birds singing and the blossoms, things I would have taken for granted but now see with different eyes,’ said Janet.
She has been exceeding her target so far, with up to 10km or more in any given day. ‘Usually after lunch I get a burst of energy and could walk from here to Timbuktu,’ said Janet, who is also passing the time between workout sessions with a bit of knitting.
So far she has raised more than €1,300 of what was originally a €500 goal.