A charity road run, featuring over 100 specialised sports and prestige cars, to support the inspirational fundraising of a local boy, takes place this weekend.
The ‘BlackBall 100’, which is being staged this Saturday, will see participants travel through a number of local towns, including Newcastle, Kilkeel and Crossgar and is supporting Zac Fletcher, who lives near Killyleagh.
This spectacular event is helping boost funds for the “Zac Gives Back” appeal, a remarkable campaign founded by the Fletcher family in gratitude for the charities that stood with the courageous nine-year-old during his battle with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Now in recovery, Zac and his family are determined to give back by raising vital funds for the childhood cancer organisations that helped them through their darkest days.
Locals are encouraged to come out, enjoy the display of incredible vehicles, and show support for a cause rooted in courage, gratitude, and community spirit.
The cars will arrive in Rathfriland at approximately 1.30pm via Downpatrick Street, Main Street and onto Newry Street, where they will stop off at First Rathfriland Presbyterian Church for refreshments. The car run will leave the town at approximately 2.30pm via Newry Street before exiting the town via Dromore Street and towards the Banbridge Road.
The ‘BlackBall100’, in association with local print and design company Blackwater Graphics, will see the cars follow a 100-mile route. It will set off from the Affidea Stadium, home to Ulster Rugby, at 10am.
The route will take in the stunning coastline of Strangford Lough, the picturesque backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, and a host of locations of interest across the county.
Drivers will enjoy a carefully planned route through towns such as Comber, Killyleagh, Crossgar, Newcastle, Kilkeel, Rathfriland, Dromore and Saintfield.
The event was fully booked within three days of its release and includes a wide range of cars of interest, including supercars, sports cars, rally cars and classic cars.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to “Zac Gives Back”.
Nine-year-old Zac is raising funds to help support the charities that helped him beat cancer – The Children’s Cancer Unit; Young Lives vs Cancer; Angel Wishes; B Positive; Powered by Poppy; Cancer Fund for Children; The Big C Foundation NI; Love Amy; and Macmillan Cancer Support.
To date, over £37,600 has been donated to the ‘Zac Gives Back’ appeal on www.gofundme.com and contributions are still being gratefully accepted.
Andrew Johnston, of Blackwater Graphics, said: “We are delighted with the response to the event so far, the variety and calibre of cars entered is incredible and we look forward to seeing everyone at the start line in June to raise as much money as we can for Zac.”
And the organisers are encouraging local people to come out and show their support for the fundraiser as the cars pass by. “All support in local towns and villages is very welcomed to cheer on the convoy as it makes its way through,” they added.
