Vote for your Flora Heart Hero

Why do you take part in the Flora Women's Mini Marathon? Basically, I take part in the marathon because I can. Because when I was born doctors said I'd never be able to walk at all. Now I take part as a thank you to all those who've helped me get to where I am today and helped me to prove those doctors wrong. A few years ago I took part with a group of friends and it has become one of my personal goals every year since. Each year I take a wheelchair with me and aim to walk one extra kilometer each time - this year my goal is six kilometers. Who knows, maybe with a lot of practice and exercise some year I'll manage to walk the whole marathon. That moment of crossing the finish line makes all the effort worthwhile - at the beginning it used to bother me being one of the last to finish but now I'm just happy to get there and bring home that medal. Every year I am amazed by the atmosphere and mutual support and encouragement shared by all participants on the day and I'm grateful to be able to be a part of that. I'm honoured to be a part of such a huge fundraising experience and I hope that my efforts can help others in some way.

Which charity (charities) do you support? This year my friend and I are participating for a cause of personal interest to both of us, The Parkinson’s Association of Ireland, as both of our fathers have been diagnosed with the condition over the last few years.

What makes you a Flora Heart Hero? I think that all those who participate every year for their own personal reasons and charities are heroes in their own unique way. I find it inspiring to read all the personal stories of participants and the individual reasons and goals for taking part. I am dedicating this marathon to all those in my life who help me to keep aiming for my own goals - even the "impossible" ones - my friends, PA’s, yoga and gym trainers and most of all, my family. Without their (my parents) determination all those years ago, my story could be very different. I don't consider myself a hero, I am just living my life as best I can and this year I'm doing the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon for MY hero, my Dad.