Aidan McCarron, Macmillan Move More Coordinator for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, has received a ‘Recognition Award’ to acknowledge his work to support people living with cancer in the local area throughout the pandemic.

Aidan is responsible for providing the support, motivation and opportunities that people living with cancer may need to become and remain active after diagnosis.

“The Recognition Award acknowledges how I adapted and continued our Macmillan Move More programme for people during the pandemic, alongside colleagues in the Council’s Interventions Team.

“It has been such a difficult time for everyone, and yet we were able to use online and social media channels to support participants to get fit and active at home,” said Aidan.

“The award, for me, is more a reflection on the participants on the programme. It’s so motivating to know that even a worldwide pandemic couldn’t prevent people from taking part in physical activity.

“I think that’s amazing, and working in cancer support is so motivating – I feel blessed to do what I do.”

On adapting the service throughout the past two years, Aidan said: “Many of our participants had to shield from family, friends, and their wider supporting network.

“To keep in touch as much as possible and continue to support people within Covid-19 guidelines, we created bite-size videos for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s social media accounts.

“These videos were short, snappy physical activity circuits so that participants could take part at home at a level that suited them. They were a really successful way to keep people engaged.

“When restrictions allowed, Move More participants were able to take part in four outdoor group activity sessions per week in both Enniskillen and Omagh, including walks and circuit classes.

“We also created regional initiatives with fellow Macmillan Coordinators in all Council areas across NI, including Move a Mile More, and Around the World virtual challenges, as well as a monthly Zoom [online meetings] quiz and the development of the Macmillan Move More YouTube channel.

“Every quarter, participants are also provided with defibrillator and first aid training.

“Now, in 2022, we are offering a hybrid of outdoor and indoor activities, from walking groups to swimming sessions, aqua aerobics, individual gym sessions and group activity sessions.

“As well as the physical benefits the programme provides, it also opens the door to a range of social and emotional benefits to support people through their diagnosis.”

The Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, said: “On behalf of the Council, I would like to offer my congratulations to Aidan on this well-deserved recognition.

“Aidan, though his enthusiasm and support, had already made the Macmillan Move More programme in our district extremely popular pre-Covid, and throughout the pandemic his innovative approach to delivery of the programme provided participants with an outlet to continue participation by maximising modern technology by taking the programme online.

“The Council is incredibly proud of the work Aidan has done in collaboration with the Council’s Interventions team to make the Macmillan Move More Programme such a wonderful success.”

The Macmillan Move More programme is available to anyone in the Fermanagh and Omagh area who has been diagnosed with cancer.

The programme can help people to find an activity that they enjoy and that fits in with their lifestyle.

For further information, contact Aidan McCarron at 074 6498 0250, or email movemore@fermanaghomagh.com.