Saturday 2 March 2013
Gerard Fitzgibbon
At least 300 people are expected to take part in a West Limerick charity run and cycle, which is being held in memory of two young people who suffered tragic sudden deaths.
Hundreds of sponsorship cards have already been issued for the 10km walk/run and 80km cycle taking place in Monagea on May 4, which is being organised by the families of Niamh Herlihy and Darra O’Donovan, who both died in 2011.
All proceeds from the event will go towards CRY, a charity working to combat sudden adult death syndrome.
Clare Scanlan, mother of 15 year old Darra who passed away in December 2011, said that while her family are still “heartbroken” by his death, there has been a heart-warming response by the local community towards the event, which was officially launched last Wednesday night.
“On the launch night there were just under 300 sponsorship cards taken, and there have been a few going out since. Hopefully this will entice more people to give it a go”.
Last Wednesday’s launch at the Monagea community centre was attended by members of the Herlihy and O’Donovan-Scanlan families, friends and members of the local community.
Both the cycle and the run will start and finish at the Monagea community centre on Saturday, May 4. The cycle will be 80km long, while the run/walk will be a less taxing 10km.
The event has been designed to cater for everyone from seasoned cyclists and runners to people just looking to stretch their legs for a good cause. For information contact Liam Herlihy on 087 2998461, Clare Scanlan on 085 1458214, or visit the event’s dedicated Facebook page.