Inspiring speakers fly in for ‘ Get Up and Go’ charity event
HUNDREDS of people will descend on Sligo this weekend to hear inspiring stories of living life with passion and purpose.
The 3rd annual ‘ Get Up and Go’ motivational conference takes place over this Friday and Saturday at the Knocknarea Arena at IT Sligo.
Speakers over the two days include best- selling authors, success coaches, psychologists entrepreneurs and of course our own Sligo hero David McGowan from Enniscrone’s Quirky Glamping fame.
Many of the speakers have overcome enormous challenges to get to where they are now and have amazing insights to share into overcoming the challenges life throws at us.
One such is young Nikki Bradley from Donegal the founder of ‘ Fighting Fit For Ewing’s’.
Nikki’s life has not been what you would call, ‘ normal’. Diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer ( Ewing’s Sar- coma) at sixteen and the receiver of a second total right hip replacement at the age of twenty six, Nikki has been on a truly unique journey - she is currently one of less than ten people worldwide to have lived through what she has.
“She just has a fantastic way of dealing with her limitations. She says ‘ this is not going to stop me’,” said Eileen Forrestal, conference organiser and founder of the Irish Get Up and Go Diaries.
Another speaker is double lung transplantee Gordon Ryan.
Born with Cystic Fibrosis, he found himself fighting an uphill battle for most of his twenties with the life- threatening illness.
His law career was scuppered by the devastating impact of Cystic Fibrosis until he received the call for a double lung transplant.
“He now has a new life which is amazing, all the things he had to give up on. We just don’t appreciate what it is to be able to breathe and speak,” said Eileen.
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland is a charity close to their hearts as Eileen’s partner Brendan Sands’ daughter is on the lung transplant list.
Audience members will pick up some positivity while contibuting to charity at the same time - the not- for- profit event is donating proceeds to North West Simon, Pieta House, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and Cambodia Humanity Activity without Borders.
“Everyone will be inspired. When you hit rock bottom, look up. So many people look down. If you can look up and see someone who’s been there before you it’s like a hand to help you up,” said Eileen.
The first day of the conference ends with a book launch of ‘ Get Up and Go Heroes’ on Friday evening at 5pm. It contains 25 inspiring stories of positivity and hope.
Conference tickets are available at getupandgoevents. com.