Offaly IndependentSaturday.
11 June 2011.
Successful mini-marathon fundraiser tinged with sadness.
A trust set up following the death of a young Tullamore man from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome received enormous support at The Flora Women’s Mini Marathon this year.
Some 41 participants, many of who travelled from Tullamore took part, but despite the vast support received this year, the event was bittersweet following the untimely death in April of Suzanne Heffernan, Mark’s loving mother, who was co-founder of the Trust and Chairperson.
Many of the participants wore a photo of Suzanne on their t-shirts to give them strength while her sister-in-law, Mary, wore her race number ensuring that Suzanne Completed the event she was so proud of.
The Trust was established in April of 2010 following the unexpected death of Mark Heffernan of Ashley Court in January 2008 from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).
This silent killer attacks young adults of between the ages of 15 and 40 and accounts to between 60 and 80 deaths per annum.
The Mark Heffernan Trust was established with a number of goals in mind, namely: to inform the general public of this fatal condition, to assist in the supply of defibrillators to schools and colleges nationwide and to support those affected by SADS, to fund further research into causes of SADS, and most importantly, possible preventative measures.
Last year the Trust handed over €15,000 to CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and Heart House, much of this money was raised through the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon with the remainder coming from the Mark Heffernan Trust Golf Classic which will be held again this year in Esker Hills on September 9.
The trustees would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to all who took part in the event and to the many people who sponsored our runners. On the same note, Suzanne’s husband Martin and two children Kate and Shane would like to extend their thanks to the many great friends and family for their support throughout what has been an extremely difficult time.