4 July 2017
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Charity News
An epic charity challenge kicked off in Donegal Town by legendary Ireland soccer goalkeeper, Packie Bonner on Thursday, 22nd June is coming to Cork on Tuesday, 11th July.
Kerry man Shane Finn is running 24 marathons in 24 consecutive days to raise €100,000 for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI). As Patron of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI), Packie sent Shane off on his first marathonon Thursday, 22nd June from The Diamond, Donegal Town to Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo.
Since then, Shane has been running a marathon each day through Mayo, Galway, Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Cavan, Louth Meath, North Dublin, Offaly, Laois, Kildare, South Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Waterford.
He will set off on his 20th marathon on Tuesday, 11th July at 9/9.30am from Perks Entertainment Centre, Claycastle, Youghal travelling via Killeagh, Castlemartyr finishing in the Square, Cobh at 2.30/3pm.
Shane is going to be welcomed into Cobh by members of Ballymore Cobh AC who will then host a lunch for Shane and his support team in the Commodore Hotel.
He will stay overnight in Cork and then set out on his 21st marathon at 9/9.30am from Fivemilebridge travelling via Halfway, Innishannon and Bandon to finish outside Dunnes Stores in Clonakilty at 2.30/3pm.
His progress each day can be tracked live on http://live.primaltracking.com/24marathons/
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI) is the national organisation which provides life-enhancing services and supports for people with the conditions, and their families.
Around 40 babies are born with Spina Bifida each year in Ireland – which is one of the highest incidence rates in the world – and 1 in 1,000 live births are affected by Hydrocephalus.
SBHI supports more than 2,000 people who know Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus to be a reality in their lives. We also work to increase awareness about Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, as well as the essential funds which ensure that our unique services can be sustained.
We are fortunate to have some incredible people who are willing to get involved in fundraising on our behalf. Shane Finn, who owns West Kerry Fitness in Dingle, raised €36,000 for SBHI in 2014 by completing 12 marathons in 12 days.
In June and July, he intends to complete 24 marathons in 24 days and he has set a fundraising target of €100,000.
What is Shane’s motivation? Shane’s 35-year-old cousin, Mary Evans, lives in Celbridge, Co. Kildare, and like thousands of other people in Ireland has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.
Shane believes that he can complete the 24 marathons in 24 consecutive days, starting in Donegal on 22nd June and finishing in his native Dingle on 15th July. Everyone at SBHI believes that he will make this ambitious dream a reality.
However, to make a fundraising event of this size a success requires investment. Our aim is to recruit as much sponsorship as possible.
While Shane is the ‘main man’ in 24 Marathons, 24 Days, getting involved in this epic challenge is open to everyone through the ‘What’sYour24?’ initiative.
To date, SBHI members, volunteers and members of the public from all over the country have been coming up with great ideas to raise sponsorship from 24 hour sponsored silences and giving up coffee for 24 days to 24 book readathons and eating 24 donuts in 2.4 minutes.
You can find out more information about Shane’s incredible undertaking and track his progress each day in real time on: www.24marathons24days.ie
Members of the public can also donate by texting GIVE to 50300.
Texts cost €4. SBHI receive a minimum of €3.25 of €4. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 0766805278
