Belfast Marathon for Darren Horse O'Neill

Update: Due to injury, I’ve had to make the really tough decision to step back from running the marathon this May. I’m absolutely gutted, and I’m very sorry to anyone who’s donated and may feel disappointed or let down. I really hope you’ll understand That said, I’ll definitely be keeping my word and fulfilling my promise to complete a marathon within the next 12 months I’ll still be there on the day to support and cheer on Donna and the amazing Daz Army. So proud of them all.

This May, we’ll be running the Belfast Marathon in memory of my husband, Darren – Daz, Dazzler, Horse.

We lost Darren to suicide on March 31st, 2023, and the last two years have been incredibly tough. We have watched and participated in some of the incredible events undertaken by his friends & colleagues. It’s taken time to find the strength to do something meaningful in his honour, but we’re finally ready to celebrate his life.

We are so incredibly proud of Darren, who he was, and of everything he did to try and get better. He was a kind, gentle, funny, beautiful soul who deserved so much more from life. He will capture the biggest part of our hearts for the rest of our lives, and this marathon is our way of celebrating him and the impact he had on everyone who knew him.

We’re supporting the Fire Fighters Charity, a cause that’s very close to my heart. They offer vital mental health support to the men and women who risk not just their physical health but also their mental health. They deserve to be supported in return, and we want to help make that happen.

I’m delighted to be running the full marathon with Darren’s sister, Donna – an incredibly emotional journey for both of us.

We’ve also formed "Daz Army," a relay team made up of our closest family and friends, who’ll be running in Darren’s memory:

• Stephanie Connolly

• Clare Macklin

• Keva Devaney

• Sorcha Campbell

• Hannah Cahill

A bunch of legends.

This run is for Darren and for all those affected by mental health.

To Darren – missed, loved, but most importantly celebrated, always.

Orianne, Donna, Steph, Clare, Keva, Sorcha, Hannah

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