Ella’s 80km challenge raises €5,500 for young Christian
By Maurice Garvey
ANYONE requiring inspiration to get out and exercise need only look towards young Ellarose Barry.
Ballyfermot girl Ellarose, who recently turned five, ran hard yards every single day during the month of January, accumulating over 80km in the process of a fundraising drive for a kid with special needs.
Ella with family and friends at the challenge on Saturday
The initial €4k target to raise funds to buy a specialised mobility scooter for Christian, a Northside youngster with a debilitating illness, has already exceeded expectations – with over €5,500 raised so far.
Proud mother Ruth Barry is a friend of Christian’s mother and decided to set up a GoFundMe to help secure the family a scooter.
“There is no school at the moment but he needs rehab, his Mam wanted to get a bike but they cost €4k so we set up a GoFundMe. The bike will really help his mobility and quality of life, so he won’t have to be in his chair 95 per cent of the time.”
Ruth started running a few years ago, and would often bring her daughter out with her for a little jog, but young Ella gradually started to pick up the pace and this has encouraged other youngsters to join in.
In October, Ballyfermot resident Shane Shiels established The Trotters Running Club – members usually meet up at the Assumption Church or in Markievicz Park prior to a run.
Ellarose Barry
Ruth joined the club, and shortly afterwards a junior section was created.
“The kids love it, it is something to do – Ella finished January with 82.7 km but wants to do more,” said Ruth.
Ian Nolan, a member of Trotters Running Club said they were proud of Ella’s “wonderful achievement”.
“Ella wanted to do a running challenge, which was inspired by her mother and the people in the Trotters Running Club,” said Ian.
“The challenge was to run every day for the month of January until she reached 50k but within 18 days she surpassed that distance. Ella has inspired so many people to get out running, especially kids and the club love having the Trotters kids group through these hard times.”
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