The Lads are doing the Marathon.
Donation protected
Hi everyone!
Myself (Phil), Dan and Jared have for some reason not exactly clear to us yet decided that we’re going to do the Dublin Marathon this year. As we’ve been training over the last few months in preparation, we’ve started to ask ourselves, what are we putting ourselves through this for?
Some have suggested that it’s the early onset of a mid-life crisis and whilst that can’t be definitively ruled out, we have decided that since we’re not getting any joy out of this we should make sure that somebody does get something from this.
With that in mind, we’re asking for any sort of donation you can give which will be split evenly across three charities very close to our hearts. Everything is appreciated and let us tell you why we have picked each one -
Jared
Hi everyone! I am someone who until recently had never ran more than 5km, running had never been enjoyable for me whatsoever. Last year, I got the notion of setting a challenge for myself of running the 2023 Dublin marathon. When my mother-in-law Eileen heard, I’ll never forget how impressed she was with the idea. I then didn’t make any real attempts at achieving this goal which is a considerable regret of mine. In December of 2023, Eileen passed away after living with cancer for 18 years. I say “living” with cancer rather than the common words of “battling” or “fighting” because she didn’t like those words and really did live her life without ever allowing her cancer diagnosis to define her. Eileen was one of the strongest people I have ever met, someone I feel so lucky to have grown such a strong relationship with and blessed to call my family. Eileen would journey up to St. Vincents Private Hospital for her treatment most weeks only to return home and go about her day as normal without ever uttering a word of complaint. She always said that “your health is your wealth” with true meaning and belief in this statement, and she never took a day in her life for granted. She was just grateful for the care she had been receiving and for all the treatments she was able to avail of over these years. The most admirable person to me and one I am determined to make proud this October. Eileen bore her illness with great fortitude for 18 years so I can at least undertake the challenge of a marathon for a few (long!) hours - it’s this thought that continues to push me on during training and that will help me cross that finish line in October.
The charity I am running for is the Little Way Cancer Support Service. The reason I chose this charity is because of the endless support they showed Eileen over the years and continue to provide to her friends and our family. They are an incredible not-for-profit charity completely run by volunteers who provide emotional and practical support to not only cancer patients, but to their family and friends too. Their service relies on the generosity of fundraising events and donations and so I would be so grateful for any amount you are in a position to donate. I appreciate all the much needed support
Dan
For my Charity, I am choosing Our Lady's Hospice in Harold's Cross. Most of you already know, but I lost my Dad to a horrible condition called MSA in 2023. He was cared for in the hospice from March 2022 to March 2023 and the care he received was nothing short of extraordinary. Before he got sick I never understood care for terminally ill people. There is so much involved from physio, day to day exercise, providing comfort, feeding, and most importantly daily entertainment and putting a smile on the patients faces. My dad even got to go to a hot tub from time to time and listen to some of his favourite tunes! These incredible people do this day in day out with a smile on their face. Any donation is massively appreciated and I will be forever thankful ❤️
Phil
I had originally planned on running the marathon in 2022 but instead of that, I was in the maternity hospital waiting on the arrival of our little man, Theo. Whilst we were waiting we went out to watch the marathon runners go by the hospital and the atmosphere sucked us both in.
Last year, I managed to avoid having to do it again but this year Jared has convinced me and the excuses have run out so we'll do what we can.
For my charity, I'm running for Feilecain. It's a charity that most people probably haven't heard of, and you don't need their help until you do. They supported, and have continued to support, my family through one of the most difficult periods of our lives and if by running the marathon I can raise anything at all that would allow them to support even one other family then the hard work would be worth it.
As the lads said, any donation is massively appreciated.
Organizer
Phil Mahon
Organizer
County Kildare