It’s cool running

A NORTHSIDE man is set to take part in one of the coolest fundraisers on the planet – literally!

On April 9, Gary Seery, from Baldoyle, will be running a marathon in aid of Habitat for Humanity Ireland.

However, this is not your ordinary 26.2-mile marathon in one of the major cities in the world.

Gary will be running the North Pole You Versus You (UVU) Marathon in temperatures of around -30 degrees Celsius. He will be aiming to raise

?¬42,195 – one euro per metre – to help Habitat for Humanity Ireland bring a derelict Dublin City Council property back to life and help give a low-income Dublin family the chance to own a decent home.

A director of IT at Hibernia Networks in Dublin, Gary has been a passionate runner since his early 30s. The father-of-three has completed over 40 marathons to date, but this time, he’s doing things a little differently.

“I am competing in temperatures of -30 degrees Celsius, with snow up to my knees,

? he said.

“I am really nervous about the freezing temperatures but the thought that this marathon will change not only my life, but also the life of a local family, will get me through.

“I call this the North Pole

‘Home Run’. This isn’t about throwing a few quid into a pot. It is about giving a local family a hand-up to change their own lives.

“My home means everything to me and my family. I want to give that sense of security and wellbeing to a family.

?

Gary said he was looking forward to meeting the Habitat for Humanity Ireland partner family and welcoming them into their new home.

“Just as I am working hard in training, they are working hard contributing

‘sweat equity’ to the renovation,

? he said.

“As I finish the marathon, they will be preparing to start their new lives. That is really powerful.

?

Gary would like to thank everyone who has supported his

‘cool’ journey so far.

“Your support is helping change lives and provide a family with hope for the future,

? he added.

To help reach his target, Gary is hosting a night of music and fun in the Abbey Tavern in Howth this Friday, March 6 at 8pm. To purchase tickets for the event, sponsor Gary, or for more information, visit www.habitatireland.ie/gary-seery