Belfast man running 155 km in December for ‘amazing’ homeless charity Team HAVEN

Education development officer Tiarnan McMeekin is aiming to clock up a minimum of 155km, running every day “including Christmas day”, to raise much-needed funds for Team HAVEN.

Team HAVEN is a non-funded community organisation providing help and support to the homeless, vulnerable and those experiencing food poverty in Belfast and the surrounding areas.

Their volunteers set up a feeding station on High Street six nights a week, providing hot food and drinks.

“I wanted to be proactive and raise money for a charity working for people living within our own community”, Tiarnan said.

"It'll be a tough challenge but I'm proud to be helping Team HAVEN out, particularly during the hard winter months.

“Homelessness and food poverty are major issues here in Belfast and throughout Ireland and the UK, and the economic crisis only serves to amplify this.

"Organisations like Team HAVEN carry out amazing work day in and day out to combat this."

Each night Team HAVEN can have 50 people or more calling to the table.

"There are people of all ages, backgrounds, parts of the country and world. Some are rough sleepers, others have a hostel bed or some are just vulnerable, in need of company and support. we never judge”, their website states.

"Our Outreach Volunteers cook hot meals, make sandwiches and snack packs, and give out a never-ending supply of tea, coffee, hot chocolate and bottled water.

“We also have a food bank from which we distribute food parcels to anyone who is struggling, for whatever reason.

“We can provide a minimum of three days' emergency food supplies, and we work alongside and support other food banks and charitable organisations in North Belfast.

"Any donations we receive help us to continue our outreach work and keep the shelves of our food bank stocked to help anyone in need."

You can donate here