Pictured Above: Vicky Duncan and the late Ned Ryan
A teacher from Letterkenny is training for her first-ever half-marathon to raise funds for Beaumont Hospital in loving memory of a close college friend.
Vicky Duncan is one of 10 friends running the Cork Half Marathon in June in memory of Ned Ryan, from Emo in Laois.
Ned passed away from brain cancer last November at the age of 23.
Vicky was one of the many people who were privileged to call Ned a friend after they met during teacher training at Mary Immaculate College in 2019.
Vicky went on to graduate and has been teaching at St. Bernadette’s Special School in Letterkenny for the past two years.
This year, in honour of Ned’s life and the strength he showed throughout his illness, Vicky has co-organised the marathon challenge to give back to Beaumont and honour a young man who was funny, kind and full of life.
“We are running for Ned, for his wonderful family and girlfriend, Anne, and for all the other patients who, like Ned, are receiving care at Beaumont Hospital,” they said.
“Beaumont Hospital played a crucial role in Ned’s care during his illness, providing him with exceptional treatment and support. They are dedicated to offering the best possible care to those battling serious illnesses, and we want to help ensure that they can continue to do so. Our goal is to raise funds to support Beaumont Hospital and its efforts in providing vital care to all of its patients.”
Another friend in the group, Aoibhe, will run the Brooklyn Half Marathon on the 27th of April and the other 10 will run the Cork City Half Marathon on the 1st of June.
Vicky said: “The training has been tough but I am really enjoying it. I still have a long way to go but the cause that I am running for is really pushing me on. “
If you would like to support Vicky and the group, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/half-marathon-in-honour-of-ned-ryan
