Store manager Debbie runs 100 miles for NI hospice | Newry Times

When Debbie Anderson, the store manager at Julian Charles in Banbridge, was looking for ways to get fit during the first lockdown she took up running.

Not only did she take to it like a duck to water, but she was also part of a team that ran 100 miles in four days, raising £4,000 for charity.

Debbie, 35, who lives in Banbridge, has been at soft furnishings retailer Julian Charles for five years.

She started as assistant manager before becoming manager of the store at The Outlet in Banbridge after six months. 

Like many people during the lockdown in 2020, she had time on her hands.

And with exercise classes no longer open, she felt unfit so started walking with her husband, Adam.

Encouraged by her father-in-law Stephen Anderson they started running and with the support of friend Geordie they took on more adventurous runs in the nearby Mourne Mountains.

Around the same time, she started fundraising for the Southern Area Hospice in County Down where she worked as a carer after university and before moving into retail.

Debbie and her three running companions decided to combine the two with a 100 mile run over four days in support of the hospice, starting at Warrenpoint and finishing in Port Rush on the north coast.

They smashed their target of £250 and raised £4,000.

Not content with that, in 2020 she completed her first marathon at the Mourne Mountains.

Debbie says, “I’ve always tried to keep fit.

“And although I’ve never really been a runner I found I really enjoyed it.

“Now I love running in the mountains.

“The Southern Area Hospice does amazing work so we were delighted to raise money for them.”

She adds, “Everyone at Julian Charles has been very supportive.”

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Posted by NewryTimes News on Aug 11 2021. Filed under Community, Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry