02/05/2025
Prisoners To Run Belfast Marathon Inside Maghaberry
Twenty prisoners at Maghaberry Prison are set to run the Belfast Marathon this Sunday (5th May), completing the full 26.2 miles on an officially measured course within the walls of Northern Ireland's maximum-security facility.
The event will take place concurrently with the main marathon happening on the streets of Belfast. The prisoners, aged between 22 and 71, will compete in four relay teams. They will be joined by two relay teams comprising Prison Service staff, including Deputy Governor Claire Graham, and another team from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust based within Maghaberry.
Maghaberry Prison Governor Tracy Megrath explained that the participants are running to raise funds for the Cancer Fund for Children.
"This will actually be the third Belfast Marathon held in Maghaberry Prison. We started this in 2023 and it's been an annual event for the staff and prisoners ever since," she said.
Governor Megrath highlighted the preparation involved: "The prisoners have been on a structured programme since January this year - as well as the fitness aspect they've been learning about good nutrition and diet."
Significant funds have already been raised through donations from staff and fellow inmates, with the final total expected to exceed £1,000.
Governor Megrath added, "The Prison Service challenge and support all those who are sent to us by the courts, and through various rehabilitation projects and purposeful activity we promote a sense of achievement and prepare them for the return to their community."
Cormac McMullan, Community Fundraising and Engagement Lead with the Cancer Fund for Children, expressed his gratitude. "We are incredibly grateful to the Northern Ireland Prison Service at Maghaberry Prison for taking on this challenge to support families affected by cancer," he said.
"Every week in Northern Ireland, three more children and young people are diagnosed with cancer, and many others are living with the impact of a parent's diagnosis. The funds raised will help us provide vital support in hospital, in the community, and at our therapeutic centre, Daisy Lodge—ensuring young people don't have to face cancer alone."
The event will take place concurrently with the main marathon happening on the streets of Belfast. The prisoners, aged between 22 and 71, will compete in four relay teams. They will be joined by two relay teams comprising Prison Service staff, including Deputy Governor Claire Graham, and another team from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust based within Maghaberry.
Maghaberry Prison Governor Tracy Megrath explained that the participants are running to raise funds for the Cancer Fund for Children.
"This will actually be the third Belfast Marathon held in Maghaberry Prison. We started this in 2023 and it's been an annual event for the staff and prisoners ever since," she said.
Significant funds have already been raised through donations from staff and fellow inmates, with the final total expected to exceed £1,000.
Governor Megrath added, "The Prison Service challenge and support all those who are sent to us by the courts, and through various rehabilitation projects and purposeful activity we promote a sense of achievement and prepare them for the return to their community."
Cormac McMullan, Community Fundraising and Engagement Lead with the Cancer Fund for Children, expressed his gratitude. "We are incredibly grateful to the Northern Ireland Prison Service at Maghaberry Prison for taking on this challenge to support families affected by cancer," he said.
"Every week in Northern Ireland, three more children and young people are diagnosed with cancer, and many others are living with the impact of a parent's diagnosis. The funds raised will help us provide vital support in hospital, in the community, and at our therapeutic centre, Daisy Lodge—ensuring young people don't have to face cancer alone."
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11 October 2023
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Prisoners at Maghaberry have raised £4,500 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) using their gardening and baking skills. The money was collected through the sale of floral hanging baskets, planters and garden furniture made by prisoners in the prison gardens, and tray-bakes created in the prison kitchen and sold to staff.
Maghaberry Prisoners Raise £4,500 For RNLI
Prisoners at Maghaberry have raised £4,500 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) using their gardening and baking skills. The money was collected through the sale of floral hanging baskets, planters and garden furniture made by prisoners in the prison gardens, and tray-bakes created in the prison kitchen and sold to staff.
01 February 2023
Maghaberry Prisoners Create Crocheted Hats For Premature Babies
More than 80 crocheted hats are to be donated to local hospitals, nursing homes and homeless charities, made by a group of prisoners in Maghaberry. The sentenced prisoners - nick-named the 'Stitch in Time Gang' - have mastered the delicate art of crocheting to make tiny hats for premature babies, blankets for the elderly and scarves for homeless.
Maghaberry Prisoners Create Crocheted Hats For Premature Babies
More than 80 crocheted hats are to be donated to local hospitals, nursing homes and homeless charities, made by a group of prisoners in Maghaberry. The sentenced prisoners - nick-named the 'Stitch in Time Gang' - have mastered the delicate art of crocheting to make tiny hats for premature babies, blankets for the elderly and scarves for homeless.
28 May 2021
Maghaberry Prisoners Build Lighthouse To Shine Light On Charity
Prisoners in Maghaberry have built a ten-foot-tall lighthouse which will help shine a spotlight on the convalescent work of a cancer charity near Larne. The wooden structure, which took several months to construct in Maghaberry Prison, was this week relocated to Hope House Cottage on the beach at Browns Bay, Islandmagee.
Maghaberry Prisoners Build Lighthouse To Shine Light On Charity
Prisoners in Maghaberry have built a ten-foot-tall lighthouse which will help shine a spotlight on the convalescent work of a cancer charity near Larne. The wooden structure, which took several months to construct in Maghaberry Prison, was this week relocated to Hope House Cottage on the beach at Browns Bay, Islandmagee.
11 October 2016
Maghaberry Prisoners Restore Old Wheelchairs To Be Used In Africa
Prisoners in Maghaberry in Lisburn are restoring old and obsolete wheelchairs for use in Africa and countries in conflict across the world.
Maghaberry Prisoners Restore Old Wheelchairs To Be Used In Africa
Prisoners in Maghaberry in Lisburn are restoring old and obsolete wheelchairs for use in Africa and countries in conflict across the world.
14 September 2016
Staff At Maghaberry Prison Watched As Prisoner Self-Harmed
Staff at Maghaberry Prison in Lisburn have been criticised after they failed to intervene while a prisoner blinded himself, according to a Prison Ombudsman report. Sean Lynch, 23, was being detained at the prison in June 2014 and inflicted "extreme and shocking" injuries through self-harm over a three day period.
Staff At Maghaberry Prison Watched As Prisoner Self-Harmed
Staff at Maghaberry Prison in Lisburn have been criticised after they failed to intervene while a prisoner blinded himself, according to a Prison Ombudsman report. Sean Lynch, 23, was being detained at the prison in June 2014 and inflicted "extreme and shocking" injuries through self-harm over a three day period.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
