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New Year's bet leads to pals' 10K
challenge
30.06.15
LIFELONG Greencastle
pals Mairead Harkin and Mary McLaughlin are
limbering up for a 10K run for two worthy local
causes – The AJ Harkin Foundation and Foyle
Sailability.
Not having run a mile since the mile run at
Carndonagh Community School, the friends decided to
challenge themselves last October with a "couch to
5k". But another gauntlet was thrown down on New
Year's Eve by Ciaran Boyce who said he would
generously sponsor the girls for a charity 10K run.
The friends will undertake their challenge on July
19 and have been meeting at 6.30am three times a
week towards that aim.
“With both of us working and Mary working shifts, it
can be difficult to schedule times that suit us both
but we make the date and stick by it no matter
what," said Mairead (nee Kealey).
“When we initially took it on to organise the 10K
walk/run, we wanted to do it for local causes that
maybe don’t have the same high profile as others so
we chose the AJ Harkin Foundation and Foyle
Sailability," Mary (nee Barr) added. |
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Mary McLaughlin, far left, and
Mairead Harkin, far right, with AJ Harkin and his
classmates who are also members of Foyle Sailability.
(Photo: Rosemary, The Old Lane Studio) |
“AJ has cerebral palsy
which means that his muscles don’t work as they
should. AJ has been travelling to the Peto
Institute, in Hungary every year for the past five
years for therapy, focusing on giving him a more
independent way of living. As he has been responding
well to this intensive therapy, we want to help the
Harkins to continue with it for as long as it is
benefiting AJ."
Mairead added: "Our other chosen charity is Foyle
Sailability, a cross border charity which gives
people with disabilities of all ages the opportunity
to try sailing and other water sports. They are
completely voluntary and have been on the go since
2013, going from strength to strength.
"Having spoken to some people who have benefited and
their carers, we were struck by how much of an
impact this project was having on them, many of whom
were getting the chance to do something that they
thought was beyond their capability and reach."
The two friends are keen to acknowledge the support
they've received so far.
“We are so grateful not only for the sponsorship for
these two very worthy causes but also for the
encouragement from the local community for the event
itself."
The 10K walk/run will take place on Sunday, July 19
at 2pm, starting at Greencastle village to Moville
and back to Greencastle followed by refreshments and
live music. Registration is €5 and can be paid on
the day. All walkers and runners welcome. For
further information please contact Mairead on 086
8907694. |
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