“My great-aunt Margaret was diagnosed just over a year ago and I’ve seen how tough it can be.”
A Co Down man is gearing up to undertake an ultramarathon feat later this month, on the same day he turns 24.
Daniel Warke from Bangor will undertake his first ‘Last Man Standing’ Ultramarathon on his 24th birthday, Saturday, August 30.
His great-aunt Margaret was diagnosed with dementia over a year ago and he wanted to raise awareness and funds to support the work of Dementia NI. The charity empowers people to live well with a renewed sense of purpose following a dementia diagnosis.
Daniel has completed several full marathons in recent years and wanted to push himself even further. As part of the ultramarathon, he will run 6.7km every hour, on the hour, until there is only one challenger left to be crowned the champion.
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He explained: “This year, for my birthday on August 30, I’ve decided to do something a little different… I’m running a Last Man Standing Ultramarathon. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s basically a running event where you run 6.7km every hour, on the hour, until there’s only one person left running. You stop, you’re out. Simple—but brutal.
“I love setting myself big challenges, and this is definitely the biggest one yet. So I wanted to do it for something that really matters—to keep me motivated and to give something back at the same time.
“I’m raising money for Dementia NI, an amazing charity that supports people living with dementia. They offer peer support, raise awareness, and work to change how dementia is understood and treated. It’s a cause that means a lot to me as my great-aunt Margaret was diagnosed just over a year ago and I’ve seen how tough it can be.”
Daniel says his challenge was well timed as his employer, ICC Belfast, Waterfront and Ulster Hall, has just announced its new charity partnership with Dementia NI.
He added: “The timing could not have been better as I already had this challenge planned and when my workplace announced that Dementia NI was our new charity partner – I was delighted.”
Daniel is currently studying for a degree in Leading on Customer Operations at Ulster University and has been working at ICC Belfast, Waterfront and Ulster Hall for the last three years, progressing from Customer Services to Event Management responsibilities.
Rob McConnell, Chief Executive of ICC Belfast, Waterfront and Ulster Hall, said, “We are delighted to be supporting the valuable work of Dementia NI, and it is fantastic that Daniel is getting the ball rolling with this incredible challenge – we wish him every success.”
Through their charity partnership across three iconic venues, ICC Belfast, Waterfront and Ulster Hall, they want to highlight the life changing work of Dementia NI to the thousands of people who visit each year.
Karen Kerr, Head of Engagement at Dementia NI, added: “We are thrilled that Daniel is kicking off our new partnership through his incredible challenge. It is lovely that his great aunt Margaret is his inspiration and motivation for taking on this gruelling feat, and that he is passionate about raising awareness and increasing understanding of dementia. Thank you Daniel, we wish you the best.”
Daniel is raising funds via GoFundMe here.
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