Most couples like doing things together.
That usually involves a trip to the cinema, some nice food and even a few glasses of wine.
But Gortahork-based couple Nora Fitzgerald and Liam Mullan are planning something a little bit different.
They are upping their game after deciding to undertake the Chicago Marathon Fundraiser in aid of Ronald McDonald House Charities on October 13th next.
It was Liam’s idea which was a brave idea considering he had never ran a race before.
Feeling a little lonely, he roped in Nora who had a little more experience having ran the VHI Mini Marathon last year followed by the Clontarf Half Marathon last November.
Liam created a robust training plan for the couple, tailoring it to suit his shift patterns and Nora’s busy work schedule, driving all over the country.
He started running in December to build up a base with Nora joining him in March.
They have been running 5 times a week, 4 short ones and a longer one on the weekends, and they are now reaching 30km on their long runs.
The devoted pair will be running the Longford Half Marathon this weekend as part of their training.
The couple chose to run in aid of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, they felt the charity was very tangible and relevant with the charity providing accommodation and a caring, supportive environment for families whose children are undergoing medical treatment at CHI at Crumlin, including over 370 families from Donegal.
Nora also completed a research project in Crumlin Children’s Hospital as a pharmacy student and says he understands the impact and benefit of the facility in Ireland.
Liam fondly remembers driving past the hospital when the couple lived in Crumlin seeing children and their families and feels very privileged to be able to raise funds for a global charity with a footprint in Ireland.
The couple are hosting a coffee morning on the 1st of September, in the Sean Scoil in Gortahork from 9.30 – 12.30, which promises to be a lovely social morning, with lots of home baked goodies and treats, Nora and her mother will be very busy with the help of some friends!
Nora and Liam are looking forward to meeting people who wish to donate on the morning, however if you would like to donate and can’t attend the coffee morning, please reach out to Nora directly on 0879024888.
As a token of their appreciation, Nora and Liam are putting together a hamper for one lucky person who they will draw from a hat, to thank all those who support their fundraising efforts.
