13th December 2013, Friday
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
From today to Christmas Eve, marathon runner Joanne Fearon will run 12 marathons (42.2Km each day) to raise funds for the neonatal ward of Cork University Maternity Hospital. Joanne will also be attempting to set a new Guinness World Record, by running a marathon on a treadmill every day for 12 days in Mahers Sports, Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Catherine Clancy, and Ambassador for the Cork City Marathon 2014, commented on the launch of Joanne’s 12 marathons of Christmas:
“I am delighted to officially launch Joanne Fearon’s incredible 12 Marathons in 12 Days challenge, during which she is hoping to raise much needed funds for Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) as well as attempting to set a new Guinness World Record,” said Lord Mayor of Cork, Catherine Clancy.
Joanne, who has completed 59 marathons to date, is encouraging the people of Cork to support this worthy cause by donating online at www.mycharity.ie/
“I am really looking forward to the exciting challenge ahead. The staff at the neonatal unit at CUMH do such important work and it’s a privilege to lend support to them”, said Joanne Fearon, who had a baby at CUMH just 4 months ago.
John Higgins, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Head of The College of Medicine and Health, UCC said “Neonatal research at Cork University Maternity Hospital consists of a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, scientists, nurses and engineers with an overall aim to improve the long-term health of newborn babies. It is through the tremendous efforts of people like Joanne Fearon that donations are received. The money raised will be used to purchase equipment and to employ staff with the specific expertise necessary to conduct research in this area. On behalf of my colleagues at CUMH, I would like to sincerely thank Joanne and wish her the very best of luck.”
Each marathon will start at 12pm at Mahers Sports, with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays. You can donate at the store or online at www.facebook.com/
or at www.mycharity.ie/
Cork City Marathon will officially launch in the coming days. An internationally recognised marathon, the Cork City Marathon will take place on Bank Holiday Monday June 2nd 2014. One of the fastest courses in Ireland, the Cork City Marathon has been praised for its inclusivity, ensuring that young and old and those with varying abilities are included in the marathon.