Aaron Noonan
Resilience Running Club
#BeActive Local Hero Award nominee
Aaron Noonan was a participant on the Limerick Sports Partnerships’ Boxing Clever Programme. The Boxing Clever programme is a combined Educational and Physical Activity Programme for people in Recovery from Addiction. Coming from a disadvantaged background himself and overcoming his own personal battles, he was determined to use his experience to help others overcome difficult times in their lives. After completing the 15-week programme, finishing with 2 QQI Level 5 courses in Addiction Studies and Health Related Fitness, Aaron noticed his improved physical, mental and emotional health. He saw first-hand the power of sport and physical activity as a mechanism for behaviour change, and as a protective factor for people like him who are already struggling with life’s daily challenges.
“Individuals experiencing addiction who are lucky enough to get a place in a residential treatment centre already face a difficult journey on completion of their treatment. Having been in this position I could empathise with them. There is a fear around falling back into old habits with the old crowd and for many there is no alternative. Many of these individuals have already been alienated from their own communities and the stigma attached to substance use can be difficult to overcome. I experienced all of this and realized the importance of assimilating back into the community and being seen to have a positive impact.”
Aaron made his mind up – he believed he had something to offer to others in a similar situation to him. He volunteered with the Limerick SP as a mentor on the programme and worked with many participants outside of course hours to engage them in sport and physical activity. This engagement led to a group of 5 participants, all in recovery, doing a 95km fundraising walk for a local drug and alcohol service. The success of this, both from a fundraising point of view, as well as the impact on the participant’s confidence, fitness and mental health inspired Aaron to keep this initiative going. There is now an even larger group of participants training for a 100km run, again as a fundraiser, and this time for a local suicide prevention charity. Aaron now (as well as volunteering at his local soccer club in Limerick) leads his very own ‘Resilience Running Club’, open to all in recovery who wish to join.