Antrim man aims to give something back by running the Belfast Marathon to raise funds for the charity that helped get him back on his feet

EDUCATION on how alcohol and drugs addiction is affecting youngsters is now a passion for Antrim man Derek McGinley.

He will be taking to the streets of Belfast this weekend to raise funds for the charity which he says ‘saved his life’.

Derek is running the The Moy Park Belfast City Marathon in aid of Cuan Mhuire, Ireland’s largest voluntary provider of addiction treatment services and residential rehabilitation.

Its main objective is the rehabilitation of persons suffering from alcohol, drug and gambling addictions.

The Cuan Mhuire Programme is based on the philosophy of total abstinence and strives to restore the confidence, self-respect and sense of responsibility of all participants.

Telling his story on his fundraising page, Derek said: “In June 2021 I was lucky enough to go to Cuan Mhuire residential rehab for 12 weeks. For years I self-medicated through alcohol and before I went into Cuan Mhuire my mental and physical health couldn't of been much worse. I was in and out of hospital, and the doctors said if I kept this lifestyle up, I would be dead within a couple years if not months.

“Cuan Mhuire taught me my self-worth and self-love.

“Since I left Cuan Mhuire, I have become a completely better version of myself and I try to be the best version of myself every day.

“I work with young people, and try to help them to be the best version of themselves and to guide them, not to go down the road I went down, to talk about their feelings, too not bottle up and self-medicate the way I did.

“I am constantly educating myself, gaining new skills and qualifications. I’m a better partner to my fiancée (my better half) and a better dad to my son (my wee man). I wake up thankful every morning and live my life to the fullest every day.”

The programme supports those suffering from addiction and their families, as they progress through a systematic 12 week programme for alcohol and gambling and 20 week programme for substance misuse (available in the Treatment Centres in Ireland only).

These programmes may be extended, with every individual case being unique. Cuan Mhuire continues to provide support after treatment through a national network of Aftercare and Family Support. At any one-time Cuan Mhuire has in excess of 570 people in their centres nationwide.

Derek stayed in the Newry facility three years ago and credits the staff there for saving his life.

“I will be forever in their debt to be honest,” said Derek.

“They really do save lives and they saved my life.

“I was a bit reluctant to talk about my own experience, but everyone that you talk to knows someone who has had a battle with addiction and if I can help someone by talking about what happened to me, then it will be worth it.

“My doctor told me I would be dead if I carried on the way I was going.

“I had everything going for me, my partner, my son, but I did not know what was wrong with me.

“I didn’t realise there was anything wrong with me, I just thought I was different, but I wasn’t, when I went to Cuan Mhuire and talked to the people there, I met people just like me and I was given the knowledge and tools to help myself.

“Now I work with young people, because I do not want any person to go down the path that I did, and I want to help others.

“Cuan Mhuire didn't only change my life but saved it, and has done so, for thousands of others.

“Addiction doesn't see religion, race, age or social status and affects millions of people and families world wide.

“If people can kindly donate anything at all, I will do my very best to do the 26.2 miles, even if I have to crawl over the finish line!”

Just before Christmas, Derek started setting himself some new goals and decided to start running.

He intends to one day run an ultra marathon and has already completed a couple of half marathons.

“I enjoy the battle in my head,” he said.

“As soon as I go out, my mind is telling me to stop, with the sore knees and feet and back, but once I get out there, I love the feeling.

“I’ve got some new trainers, as my old ones were worn out, I am definitely getting the miles in.

“And I still have my bar of chocolate every night!

“Anyone who is struggling, as well as getting professional help, the exercise really helps clear the mind.”

Derek is now a trained Youth Support Worker and he wants to highlight that education in early teens is needed as he says “what I did wasn’t normal – the youth of today need to start talking about issues they are having, not bottle everything up, it is much easier now to avail of support and there is nothing wrong with asking for advice.”

Derek, supported by partner Michelle, is hoping to raise over £1000 for Cuan Mhuire. On his JustGiving page, the total is already nudging £750. You still have time to donate via this link: www.justgiving.com/page/

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Gerry McElroy - CEO from Cuan Mhuire said: “It is wonderful to see that ex-residents want to support the charity that supported them on this life-changing programme.

“Cuan Mhuire last year had 2,324 admissions from all walks of life with Drug, Alcohol and Gambling addiction In Northern Ireland we had 421 admissions and supported 3200 aftercare attendees.

“The demand for its critical services has never been higher and as a charity, its funding needs never been greater in order to continue its work in supporting residents, upgrade our centres, and training and maintaining critical highly skilled staff.

“We are so grateful to Derek for taking part in the Belfast Marathon and for sharing his personal story of addiction. Help Derek and Cuan Mhuire Restore Hope to Others with a kind donation at: www.justgiving.com/page/derek-

mcginley-belfastmarathon.”

Cuan Mhuire was founded in 1966 by Sr. Consilio, who along with many dedicated supporters and staff, build it into the largest addiction treatment organisation throughout the Island of Ireland.

Cuan Mhuire ‘sees the goodness in everyone’ who comes to their centres and supports them on their journey from addiction to hope.

If you need support, please call 028 3084 9010 or if you would like to get involved with fundraising, please contact fundraising@cuanmhuire.ie or call 07842 431470.