Joe Duffy dashes to help Gift of Life run

A SOUTHSIDE family joined RTÉ Radio 1 broadcaster Joe Duffy at a photocall last week to announce the Gift of Life Santa Dash taking place in December. 

The family fun run, which aims to promote organ donation, will see hundreds of Santas dashing around the Curragh Racecourse on Sunday, December 13.

Organised by Irish Fit with the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) as the nominated charity partner, participants will be encouraged to take part in the event while dressed as Santa.

Joining Joe for the launch were Ruth Brennan with her mother Ann from Stepaside, and her son Darragh O’Haire (7).

Darragh received a kidney transplant in February 2013 thanks to the generosity of a family of a deceased donor.

Twins Aimee and Annie Murphy (both 5) from Rathnew, County Wicklow were also there with their parents Kevin and Ann Marie.   Kevin donated a kidney to Aimee in February 2014. 

Also taking part in the photocall was four-year-old Tadhg McElroy from Bray who underwent a kidney transplant in April last year.

She was joined by kidney donor mother Clidhna Costello.

Other Santas happy to support the event were James Reynolds, from Tallaght, who received a deceased donor kidney transplant in 2009 and Alison Honner from Co Laois who received a kidney transplant thanks to her donor sister Melissa in 2013.

Joe said: “It is wonderful to be part of this event and to meet all the transplant recipients who have embraced their good health and renewed life thanks to organ donation.”

The Gift of Life Santa Dash on December 13 offers people a fun way to get together and kick start the Christmas festivities while supporting a very worthy cause.

It is also very timely at the beginning of the festive season when families come together, which is an ideal opportunity to discuss organ donation and let loved ones know your wishes.

Registration for the 5km/10km Gift of Life Santa Dash, which will include a Santa Suit and a festive themed participant medal, is €25 for adults and €20 for children. Chip timing and results will be provide by Multisports.ie on the day of the event.

For registration and further details log on to www.santadash.ie