Courage_for_Carmel

Carmel Murray (née Murphy) passed away on March 1st, 2022, at the young age of 49 years. Carmel recovered from cancer in 2010, but it returned in 2019, and after a tough and brave battle, Carmel’s race was run.

Carmel touched many people’s lives, and her outgoing, caring personality helped many along the way. She raised over €75k for various charities over the last few years but more importantly, she gave her time and skills to help many different organizations and people in her too-short life.

One of Carmel’s final requests was for her rather large family to fundraise in her honor. Her wish was to raise funds to help St Francis Hospice, where she spent the last few months of her life. The Irish Cancer Society, where she was instrumental in launching and growing the Relay For Life program and The Mighty Matthew trust that she was active in founding and launching in 2014.

Initially, Carmel’s Husband Gerry, thirteen of Carmel’s extended family and six friends, decided to run the Dublin City Marathon. As word started spreading, other friends and ex-colleagues heard of the initiative; the group grew. There will now be over thirty people doing the marathon wearing the specially designed “Courage for Carmel” jersey.

Carmel’s sisters, brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors and ex-colleagues will all be represented in the group. The challenge is far from easy, with the group's average age of 48, ranging from 25 to 65.

For the majority, completing their first (and likely last!) marathon will honor Carmel and keep her alive in our memories. With your support, our mission is to complete the marathon grinning through whatever aches and pains we suffer to ensure that one of Carmel's last wishes is delivered – raise funds for The Hospice, the Irish Cancer Society and The Mighty Matthew trust.