Thousands raised from women competing in Mini Marathon
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THOUSANDS of euro was raised for charity at the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin city centre on Sunday, which saw 30,000 women take on the 10k challenge in the balmy May weather.
Rathfarnham woman Laura Shaughnessy came second in the mini marathon, with a time of just over 34 minutes, while a number of other women from the local area donned their running shoes to raise funds for a variety of charities.
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Defence Forces member Aoife Curran, from Glenview in Tallaght, ran the mini marathon in full combat gear and also carrying a 30lb weight on her back in aid of CMRF Crumlin, which provides funding to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital and the National Children’s Research Centre.
Speaking to The Echo in April, Ms Curran explained that she had attended Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin with her three-year-old son, Oliver, for minor ailments, but she was struck by the care and support she and her son received.
She said: “I didn’t think twice about my choice of charity for this, I believe every sick child deserves a diagnosis and the best possible outcome.
“Helping to raise as much funds and awareness for this charity will hopefully make today’s illness, tomorrow’s cure.
“And, if I can even contribute in a small way towards making this a reality for just one child or family then the small amount of work I am putting in will be well worth it.”
Linda Lambert, from Árd Mor in Tallaght, ran the mini marathon with her daughter Megan and other family and friends to raise money for Tallaght Hospital’s dialysis unit, as a way to show her gratitude for the care her mother, Carmel O’Flaherty, received when she attended the unit before she passed away in 2009.
Katie Downes from Firhouse took part in the event to raise funds for the Jack and Jill Foundation, while a team of parents took on the 10k challenge as Luke and Lucy’s Ladies, in order to help fund the creation of a sensory trail at the Fettercairn Youth Horse Project in Tallaght.
The annual Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is the largest event of its kind in the world, and it has raised approximately €210 million for charity since its inception in 1983.
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