Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund

21/08/2026

🏃‍♂️ MEET OUR RUNNERS: SHARATCHANDRA VARMA BOGARAJU 💙

For Sharatchandra Varma Bogaraju, taking on this year’s Belfast City Half Marathon has a very personal meaning.

Sharatchandra is running in memory of his friend’s wife and daughter, who both sadly passed away following kidney related illness.

Their loss has given Sharatchandra a powerful reason to take on the 13.1 mile challenge and raise vital funds for the Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund.

On 20 September, every mile he runs will be in their memory while helping NIKRF continue to fund important kidney research here in Northern Ireland. 💙

It is a poignant reminder of why kidney research matters and why every person who runs, donates or supports NIKRF can play a part in helping us continue .

Let’s get behind Sharatchandra as he prepares for race day and help him make every one of those 13.1 miles count. 👏💙

👉 Support Sharatchandra:
https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/SV30330201

Good luck Sharatchandra. Team NIKRF will be cheering you all the way!

19/08/2026

🏃‍♀️ MEET OUR RUNNERS: IMOGEN WARD 💙

For student nurse Imogen Ward, running has become an important way to clear her head during the busy and challenging periods of her studies.

But on 20 September, she will be running for something much bigger.

Through her nursing, Imogen has cared for people living with kidney disease and has seen first hand the impact it can have on patients and their families.

Kidney disease has also touched her own family, giving Imogen a very personal reason for taking on the Belfast City Half Marathon and raising funds for NIKRF.

Now she is turning those experiences into something positive, taking on 13.1 miles to support vital kidney research here in Northern Ireland. 💙

We would love the NIKRF community to get behind Imogen as she trains for the big day.

Every donation and every share can make a difference.

👉 Support Imogen:
https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/IW17534903

Good luck Imogen. Team NIKRF will be cheering you all the way! 👏💙

18/08/2026

🏃‍♀️ MEET OUR RUNNERS: BROOKE BERRYMAN 💙

Every runner has a reason. Brooke Berryman’s is incredibly special.

This September, Brooke will take on the Belfast City Half Marathon in memory of her much loved cousin, Curtis Berryman, who sadly passed away before Christmas.

Amid unimaginable heartbreak, Curtis’ parents, Heather and Michael, made the incredibly selfless decision to donate his organs.

💙 Curtis went on to save five lives and help restore another person’s sight. Six months later, all five transplant recipients are thriving.

On 20 September, every one of Brooke’s 13.1 miles will be for Curtis, celebrating his life, remembering the person he was and honouring the extraordinary legacy he has left behind.

Brooke is raising funds for NIKRF and helping raise awareness of just how powerful the gift of organ donation can be.

We are incredibly proud to have Brooke running for us. Please get behind her, share her story and support her if you can. 💙

👉 Support Brooke:
https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/BB89679478

18/08/2026

🌿 Thank you for supporting us at Bob’s!

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported us over the weekend. Even a damp evening couldn’t spoil the fun!

🎨 Local artist Nathan Murry enjoyed getting involved in our colouring competition and certainly brought some creativity to Bob’s!

Thank you to everyone who visited, donated and helped support vital kidney research through NIKRF. 💛

14/08/2026

🌸 It’s Bob’s Summer Garden weekend! 🌿☀️

Why not call in, enjoy the weekend whilst helping support vital kidney research across Northern Ireland?

🌼 Friday: Robert Scott
🌼 Saturday: Susan Kee
🌼 Sunday evening: Malachy and Heather

Come along, say hello and enjoy a lovely visit while supporting NIKRF. Every visitor and every donation makes a difference. 💛

13/08/2026

🎉 Fantastic News!

We are delighted to congratulate Dr Michael Corr, one of NIKRF’s researchers, who has passed his PhD Viva yesterday! 🎓👏

Michael’s research has been exploring an incredibly important question: why do kidney transplants fail in young people? His work aims to improve our understanding of kidney transplantation and the factors that can affect transplant outcomes in younger people.

Pictured from left to right are QUB Reader Dr Gareth McKay, Dr Michael Corr and Emeritus Professor Peter Maxwell.

This is a fantastic achievement and everyone at NIKRF sends Michael their warmest congratulations.

👏 Well done, Dr Michael Corr! We look forward to hearing more about the outcomes of this important research.

12/08/2026

🏃‍♀️ READY FOR YOUR NEXT BIG CHALLENGE? 🏃‍♂️

Registration is now open for the Belfast City Marathon & Relay 2027 and we want YOU on ! 💜

Whether you are ready to take on the full marathon or get a team together for the relay, every mile you run can help support vital kidney research here in Northern Ireland.

📅 Sunday 2 May 2027

Sign up early and secure your place at the current entry fee before prices increase.

When you run with NIKRF, we will be there to support you with fundraising help and your NIKRF charity running vest.

💜 Run for Research. Run for Hope. Run for Life.

Interested in joining us? Contact Kay at [email protected] for more information.

Tag your running friends, get your team together and make 2027 the year you take on the challenge! 🏅

11/08/2026

💛 WE NEED YOUR VOTE! 💛

Great news! Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund has been selected as one of three charities in Belfast International Airport’s charity initiative over the next few weeks.

Now we need YOUR help! 🙌

Please take a moment to vote for NIKRF and help us be in with a chance of winning the prize. Every vote really does count! 💛

👉 VOTE HERE:
https://www.belfastairport.com/corporate-information/corporate-social-responsibility

Please vote and share with your friends, family and colleagues. Let’s get behind NIKRF! 💛

💖 💖

Our third vote is live! We have three super charities in Vote 3, who will you choose to vote for?

🔹Lagan Dragons
🔹TinyLife
🔹Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund

Vote for who you would like to win the biggest donation 👇
www.belfastairport.com/corporate-information/corporate-social-responsibility

Voting closes on 25th August, 9am.

10/08/2026

What a wonderful weekend at Bob's for NIKRF! 💚✨

A huge thank you to little Erin, who proudly handed in her entry for our colouring competition - such a brilliant effort! 🎨👏

We also had the pleasure of welcoming our newest volunteer, Michelle. Michelle is a living kidney donor who donated a kidney to her Mum through the paired sharing scheme in June 2021. Both Michelle and her Mum are doing brilliantly, and we are so honoured to have Michelle join our volunteer family! 🌟

Keep an eye out for Michelle at our upcoming events over the next few weeks!

Thank you to everyone who supports the work we do every day. ❤️

07/08/2026

Three incredible nurses. One amazing cause. One shared goal. 💛

Last week we had the pleasure of visiting the Renal Unit at Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, where we spent time with the dedicated staff and wonderful patients who inspire the work we do every day.

We were especially delighted to meet Sarah, Anita and Lauren, three fantastic renal nurses who are taking on the Phoenix Energy Belfast City Half Marathon on 20 September to raise vital funds for the Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund.

Every day they care for people living with kidney disease. Now they are lacing up their running shoes to go the extra mile in support of kidney research that will help improve lives across Northern Ireland.

Their fundraising is already underway and every donation, big or small, will make a real difference in helping us fund pioneering research, improve treatments and give hope to patients and families affected by kidney disease.

Please join us in cheering Sarah, Anita and Lauren on as they prepare for race day and, if you can, support their fundraising here: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/phoenix-energy-belfast-city-half-marathon-fundraising-campaign-2026/team/ulster-hospital-renal-unit

Thank you Sarah, Anita and Lauren. We are so grateful for your support and cannot wait to see you cross that finish line! 💜🏃‍♀️

Belfast City Marathon