Haiti Gets Belfast Boost

Hundreds of people converged on Ormeau Park to take part in a special fun run to raise funds for the survivors of the Haiti earthquake at the weekend.

The runners raised around £7,000 to help the earthquake survivors. The event raised money by levying a registration fee and requesting additional donations. A number of local businesses also provided sponsorship.

The five-kilometre fun run was organised by the Belfast4Haiti campaign, an appeal which was started just a fortnight ago by two local musicians - after news of the earthquake broke.

Among those taking part were former Olympic pentathlete, Dame Mary Peters, and local actor, Gerard McCarthy, better known as Kris Fisher from the E4 TV show Hollyoaks.

The total attending the concert/gig was 1,250 and that combined with at least 550 participating in the Fun Run means some 1,800 people took part in those events.

The total raised so far now stands at £23,000 but there are more proceeds to be added.

Sinn Féin MLA for South Belfast Alex Maskey joined hundreds of others taking part in the Belfast 4 Haiti fun run in Ormeau Park, Mr Maskey was joined by party colleague Jennifer McCann MLA.

"It is of little surprise to me that the citizens of Belfast are so ready to step up to the mark in terms of assisting the devastated people in Haiti.

"Today's run brought many people from different walks of life together for what is a very worthwhile cause.

At the Limelight, Katy Dalys, and the Spring and Airbrake on Sunday afternoon and evening, headline acts included South Derry band General Fiasco who recently completed a UK tour and are widely tipped for international success.

One of the founders of the Belfast4Haiti campaign, local musician Anto O'Kane, said the organisers of both events had been overwhelmed by the support shown.

All money raised from both the Fun Run, Sunday's concert and other events being staged by Belfast4Haiti will go direct to the Disasters Emergency Committee, an umbrella group of 13 aid agencies which are assisting in the earthquake relief effort.

(BMcC/GK)