The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon takes place on Sunday 2 June in Dublin. Happening on a Sunday, rather than the Bank Holiday Monday as previously, we at Cystic Fibrosis Ireland are hoping that this year will see even more women take part for our charity.

This is the 10th year of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s One in 1,000 campaign, where we ask supporters to put together teams of friends and family for what is a fantastic afternoon of ‘girl power’.

To reach our target of recruiting 1,000 women in total, we need to recruit 100 teams of 10 people. Will you help organise a team?

Ireland has some of the most severe types of cystic fibrosis and the most cases per head of population in the world. Our One in 1,000 campaign sees women from all over Ireland who want to make a difference to the lives of people with cystic fibrosis come together to raise awareness and funds.

Almost all funding for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s services comes from public donations. Funds raised go towards vital services for people with cystic fibrosis such as patient grants for supports such as counselling, home exercise equipment, fertility treatment and transplant assessment.

We have also recently committed to fundraising €1m to build a dedicated in-patient CF unit at Beaumont Hospital, so the need for strong fundraising is greater than ever.

The atmosphere on the day is simply electric, and by being part of the One in 1,000 team you will have access to cloakroom facilities, food and refreshments, as well as a post-event party to celebrate your triumph.

The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is a 10km course and is open to women of all fitness levels. Participants can choose to run, jog or simply walk! It really is the taking part that counts.

If you would like to find out more about how you can make a difference to the lives of people with cystic fibrosis and sign up for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, you can telephone LoCall 1890 311 211, email rbyrne@cfireland.ie or simply visit www.onein1000.ie.

Philip Watt

CEO, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland

CF House, 24 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6

An open letter to Health Minister Simon Harris

We are an amalgamation of pro-choice groups, writing to express our fear and disappointment that some people are being left behind by the new abortion legislation.

Currently, rural abortion provision is sparse. Legislation has not been translated into action. Some counties have no GPs signed up to the service and other counties have limited provision, as many GPs only provide care to their current patients. People living in rural areas where public transport is limited are being forced to travel long distances to access care. Furthermore, it has become clear that those requiring hospital care are not being seen in their nearest hospital but are instead being referred to larger, city-based maternity units that are farther away. This is not what we marched for and it is not what we voted for. People deserve timely abortion care that reflects evidence-based clinical practice, where they live.

Having GP-led services was intended to ensure that people accessing healthcare would be seen close to home and in a non-stigmatised environment. A lack of safe access zones means that we have already seen protests outside the practices of conscientious providers, undoubtedly discouraging other doctors from signing up to provide abortion care. Safe access zones are an essential part of safe access to abortion.

Additionally, the mandatory three-day waiting period, necessitating two visits to an abortion provider, is a significant barrier for rural pregnant people who already have to travel long distances to access care. This waiting period has already been deemed medically unnecessary by doctors speaking before the Oireachtas Health Committee. It serves to discriminate against those who are forced to travel long distances to access abortion healthcare, whether that be from Northern Ireland or from rural areas. It’s also likely that the waiting period will push some people beyond the gestational time limit for accessing an abortion.

We have also heard the recent news that people in Northern Ireland will have to pay €450 for the privilege of having to travel twice. Minister Harris spoke in the Dáil about the reasons why safe abortion care must be free. There is no reason why this should not apply to people from Northern Ireland accessing abortion services here in the Republic. We have always been an all-island campaign and this is not what you promised when you said that Northern Irish people would not be left behind; €450 will prove utterly prohibitive for many Northern Irish people seeking access to abortion care in the Republic and will ultimately result in people continuing to be forced onto flights and ordering abortion pills illegally online.

As Minister for Health, Simon Harris has a duty of care towards the people of Northern Ireland, all of whom, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and Article 2 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, have the right to be seen as Irish citizens. To hinder access for people living in Northern Ireland shows a failure by the state to adhere to its legal and constitutional obligations towards all of its citizens.

We are also concerned about other marginalised and vulnerable groups being prevented from accessing abortion care. Multi-sectionalities can compound particular challenges and leave people open to vulnerabilities.

Young people, trans and non-binary people, Travellers, migrants, people experiencing domestic abuse, people with disabilities and those living in rural areas face challenges ranging from access to transportation to communication with healthcare providers. Provisions that enable all people to access their rights, equitably, are essential.

The end goal of the campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment was not to introduce abortion care for a select few. We call on Minister Harris and the Department of Health to provide these services, for all people, as a matter of urgency.

Tipp for Choice

Mayo Pro-Choice

Kerry for Choice

Galway East for Choice

Abortion Rights Campaign Leitrim

Abortion Rights Campaign Offaly

Alliance for Choice Belfast

Pro Choice Laois

Dublin Abortion Rights Campaign

Sligo Abortion Rights Campaign

Kilkenny for Choice

Galway Pro-Choice

Carlow Choice and Equality Network

Cavan Pro-Choice

Wexford Pro-Choice

Abortion Rights Clare

Roscommon for Choice

Meath for Choice

Abortion Rights Campaign Donegal

Cork Together for Yes

Leixlip Together for Yes

Clane Together for Yes

North Kildare Pro-Choice

Kildare Coalition for Repeal

Repeal LK (Limerick)

Strabane Pro-Choice

Alliance for Choice Derry

West Cork Rebels for Choice

North Wicklow Together for Choice and Equality

Rise and Repeal Waterford

Waterford Together for Yes

Mid-Louth Together for Yes

London-Irish Abortion Rights Campaign

South Kildare Pro-Choice

Dundalk For Change