Students from two North Belfast schools have teamed up to host a special sports event aimed at raising vital funds for a local food bank charity.
Boys and girls from St Malachy's and Dominican College Fortwilliam have organised 'The Ultimate Gym Challenge'.
The project aims to host a safe, active and enjoyable event and deliver an inclusive sporting experience that has a positive impact on student wellbeing.
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The event is being held at Flight Gymnastics Acadamy in Mallusk on Thursday, October 27 and has been organised by Dominican College Deputy Head Girl Jennah Fulton and classmates including Diarmuid Hanna, Jake McCotter, Paddy Quinn, Callum Walsh, Eoghan Breen, Eoin Morgan, Declan McQuade, Seamus Callaghan, Ronan Eager, Ronan McAree, Evan Stanley, Caoimhin Killyleaghand Daniel Shields.
Jennah - the daughter of Belfast Star and Ireland basketball coach Adrian Fulton - is the first girl to study A-Level Sports Science at the all-boys St Malachy's, as part of a shared education programme.
"We are giving year 8 pupils from St Malachy’s College and Dominican College Fortwilliam the opportunity to participate in the event, which is The Ultimate Gym Challenge," Jennah said.
"They will be able to meet new people their age and form new friendships, while also trying to become more active in their everyday life.
"I am the first girl to study sports science at St Malachy’s, and this year I am the chairwoman of our event. The idea came about as I wanted both the girls and boys to have the opportunity to attend and experience a new environment and try a different sporting activity.
"As well as promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle we want to use this opportunity to support our local community by raising money and awareness for the current cost of living crisis. We understand many families will struggle this winter and may have to make the decision to heat their homes or put food on the table. Therefore, all children will attend the event free of charge.
"The North Belfast area is in the top 1% most deprived in Northern Ireland, with almost two thirds of the children in the area living in poverty.
"As a group, we want to help in anyway that we can by donating all the profits of our event to the North Belfast Food Bank. We want to continue raising awareness of this issue that will affect many families in Northern Ireland."
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