On behalf of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) and the wider cystic fibrosis community, I would like to thank the people of Dublin for their continued generosity and to ask for their support once more in the upcoming VHI Women’s Mini Marathon.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a challenging disease and CFI works hard to support people with CF and their families by providing a range of vital services such as grants for exercise equipment, fertility treatment, transplant assessment, counselling and bereavement support.

We also fund the development of dedicated state-of-the-art CF facilities in our hospitals. This ensures that people get the best possible care and that issues such as cross-infection are minimised.

As a small member-led charity, with most of our funds coming from the generosity of the public, raised through fundraising events and donations, we rely hugely on the readers of Metro Éireann for their support.

The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon on 6 June is a major fundraising event for CFI. This year, as part of our ‘One in 1,000’ campaign, we are aiming to recruit 1,000 women from all over the country to take part and help raise €100,000 for CF support.

It’s a really fun day out for the CF community, with CFI having one of the largest charity contingents taking part. We offer a base on the day for participants to come together before the event to get themselves ready and after the event to celebrate their achievement.

So for anyone that would like to take on the 10km challenge, while at the same time supporting a really worthy cause, I would urge them to register for the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon and then sign up with CFI for a fundraising pack.

Ireland has some of the most severe types of CF and the most cases per head of population in the world. We have more than 1,200 people living with CF in Ireland, with an average of 30 new cases diagnosed each year.

By taking part, you can make a real difference to helping support cystic fibrosis care in Ireland. Will you be one in 1,000 for CFI?

For more information LoCall 1890 311 211, visit www.cfireland.ie or email us at fundraising@cfireland.ie

Philip Watt

chief executive, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland

CF House, 24 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6