Wicklow Hospice Marathon 100 Team to raise funds for county’s first Hospice facility

The Wicklow Hospice Marathon 100 Team are gearing up for a serious fundraising effort this October, when they will take on the 2010 Lifestyle Sports – adidas Dublin Marathon, in an effort to realize the foundation of Wicklow’s first hospice facility.

The initiative was set up by Bill Porter from Rathdrum who has been involved in athletics and community games for over 30 years and also has been involved in fundraising and volunteering for Rathdrum Cancer Support for many years.

Bill decided last September to bring together his friends and contacts in the running world to support 100 runners to run the Marathon and raise sponsorship for the Wicklow Hospice Foundation.

The team of 100 runners, both marathon veterans and first timers, will be coached by renowned marathon runner and Coach Brendan O’Shea. Team members include East Coast FM CEO Sean Ashmore and Andrew Doyle TD, both of whom are taking on the marathon for the first time. Other team members are marathon veterans such as former Olympic cyclist Jenny McCauley, Ciaran Byrne of the Wicklow Football Management Team who will run the Lifestyle Sports – adidas Dublin Marathon for the 29th time and Mary Nolan Hickey from Arklow who is the only woman to run all of the 30 Dublin Marathons to date.

Others involved in supporting the Team include former international athletes Gerry Curtis and Sean Meaney, Frank Grealy Editor of the Irish Runner magazine, Noreen O’Reilly coach of international athletes including Roisin McGettigan, Stephanie O’Reilly and Brian Farrell.

The Team who are meeting and training together regularly in preparation for the big day are motivated to bring equality to hospice services in the country. Wicklow has the most under-funded palliative care community service in the country and no hospice facility. The Wicklow Hospice Foundation that was set up by the people of Wicklow, for the people of Wicklow, to promote and campaign for the right of every person to choose where they wish to spend their last days. The group aims to have a full seven day palliative care service and a purpose built Hospice with a day centre and home care team operating in County Wicklow at a site donated by the Columban Sisters at Maheramore, Brittas Bay.

For further information on the Wicklow Hospice Foundation can be found at www.wicklowhospice.ie

Information on the Wicklow Hospice Marathon 100 Team by contacting Bill Porter in Avondale Sports and Leisure in Rathdrum 087 2928660.