A FAMILIAR face to shoppers on the Springfield Road is preparing to do his bit for Marie Curie Cancer Care today (Thursday) at Whiterock Leisure Centre. 74-year-old Billy Clarke, co-owner of Clarke Bros fruit shop, will swim 62 lengths – the equivalent of one mile – to raise much-needed funds for the cancer charity.
Speaking to the Andersonstown News, Billy said he hopes the community will turn out to cheer him on.
“I’m hoping to raise over £600 for Marie Curie,” he said. “We have a staff member who was affected by cancer and they received excellent care from the charity. It’s really our way to give something back.
“There isn’t really much fundraising done in West Belfast for Marie Curie but with events like this hopefully people will do more,” he said.
Billy said he keeps in shape “by swimming a couple of nights a week and eating fresh fruit and vegetables. I know the swim won’t be a dawdle but I’ll give it 100 per cent and finish the course,” he added.
“We have raised a good bit through the generosity of people who come in and out of the shop and if anyone would like to donate they can still do so at the shop or come along on the day to the Whiterock.”
