On June 22nd, 24-year-old Kerry man Shane Finn will kickstart his mammoth challenge of completing 24 marathons in just 24 days in aid of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI).
Next Thursday, Shane will set off on his incredible 628 mile journey from the Diamond in Donegal Town, with the first leg of his journey towards Dingle finishing just outside Mullaghmore in Sligo.
The official launch of Shane’s journey will be hosted by The Donegal Support Branch Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus with a Country Music Night in the Abbey Hotel on June 21st.
Shane is inspired by his cousin Mary Evans, 35, who like thousands of others across Ireland lives with both Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.
In 2014, Shane completed 12 marathons in 12 days, raising a cool €33,000 for the charity, but he aims to smash that goal this year by setting the bar at a whopping €100,000.
Shane explains the reason why he chose to do 24 marathons this year.
“The 24 is symbolic as I see quite clearly how 24 hours a day can be difficult for someone with a disability and their family! So, a marathon a day for 24 days, and it’s our aim to raise €100,000 in the process!”
Shane also invites people across the country to come on board and fundraise with him, and he provides 24 great examples for fundraising ideas, including doing 24 odd jobs for others, eating 24 doughnuts in a doughnut eating race, and a 24 hour silence.
Although Shane is slightly nervous as he has never undertaken such a mammoth task, he is excited to tie up his laces and begin his extraordinary mission.
“I am excited about the event, I am slightly going into the unknown as I will never have pushed my body that far before. But if it means raising €100,000 and making a difference and helping people live a better quality of life – well, then I am all in!”
Delighted at being chosen to launch Shane’s unbelievable undertaking, The Donegal Support Branch Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus are marking the occasion with a Country Music Night in the Abbey Hotel on June 21st.
With an amazing line-up, and tickets only costing €10, why not come along?
For the jivers, there’s a competition being held on the night, with prizes going to the top three!
Former Celtic and Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner will be the special guest of the night. Packie is also a patron of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus.
Johnny Brady, Gary Gamble, Niamh Lynn, Grainne Gavigan, Paul McCahill, Rosaleen Moore and Johnny Koylmeyer will be performing on the night, along with house band of the night Off the Kuff.
Doors open at 8pm, with dancing beginning at 9pm.
To buy a ticket you can contact any of the following people for more information:
Sinead Breen (Convoy) 085 2811351
Kevin Harold (Ballybofey) 086 2620474
Stephen-Caroline Lafferty (Dunkineely) 086 0285335
Jonny Stewart (Gortlee Tool Hire & ) 086 2146381
Cormac Ward (Ardara)
Frank Larkin (Letterkenny)
Ann Bennett (Donegal Town)
Chairperson of The Donegal Support Branch Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Frank Larkin last week gave up all electronic communication for 48 hours. He explains that he chosen to do the challenge for 48 hours is to signify both the 24 marathons Shane will be doing, and the 24 days he is giving himself to complete them.
A member of The Donegal Support Branch Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus, Sinéad Breen, has been campaigning for more support for those with disabilities.
Speaking to Donegal Daily, Sinéad says that her daughter Mikaela accompanied her to Dail Eireann to meet Minister for Disabilities Finian McGrath to push for better services and more funding for hospitals such as Temple Street, where they attend many times a year.
Sinead and Mikaela
Completely of her own accord, generous Mikaela donated all of the birthday money she received when she turned seven to two causes; half to Temple Street hospital and the other half to a two-year-old girl with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus to help fund a wheelchair.
Sinéad adds “If a 7-year-old can donate all of her birthday money, then €10 is not a big sacrifice for an adult to make.
“The money raised from the Country Music Night stays in Donegal and goes towards equipment and respite for children such as mine who have Spina Bifida,” she concludes.
To learn more about Shane’s incredible undertaking you can visit his website by following this link:
https://www.24marathons24days.ie/
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