Over €10k raised in charity run

OVER €10,000 has been raised on the return of the Ciarán Carr Foundation 5km Family Fun Run, in what is the 10th anniversary of the charity, which fundraises to provide defibrillators to schools and sports clubs.

Running for the first time since 2019 due to Covid, the fun run made a magic return to Corkagh Park on Saturday (September 30) with some 650 registered participants.

Despite the unfavourable weather, there was a jubilant atmosphere as runners, walkers, buggies and dogs got underway across the 5km route in the Clondalkin park.

At the beginning of the final kilometer, local musician Jack Whelan was there with his guitar to help participants across the line, where they each received special 10th anniversary medals.

Speaking after the event, Gemma and Philip Carr, founders of the Ciarán Carr Foundation, thanked everyone for participating.

“Clondalkin is a special place and over the past 10 years the Foundation has received such incredible support from the community,” they said.

“Without fundraising events such as this we would not be able to continue the work.”

While the crew are still busy counting, early estimates suggest that at least €10,000 has been raised through the event.

All funds raised go towards continuing the work of the foundation in the local community and further afield, where it provides life-saving equipment such as defibrillators to sports clubs and schools.

On January 20, 2012, Ciarán, just two weeks shy of his 21st birthday, collapsed while training with Round Tower GAA senior football team.

He had already booked his 21st birthday party but family and friends ensured the night went ahead – raising €24,000 for the CRY Foundation in Tallaght Hospital.

Ciarán’s parents Philip and Gemma subsequently established the charity Ciarán Carr Foundation, which is aligned with the Clondalkin GAA club.

The whole goal of the charity is helping prevent sudden cardiac death tragedies occurring at sporting clubs and organisations.

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