Southside trio in marathon bid

AN athletic trio of Southside ladies, Eleanor Mooney, Aoife Cahill Mannion and Audrey McGill are encouraging women across Ireland to join them for the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon on Sunday, June 2, for some of Ireland’s sickest children.

“I’ve taken part in the mini marathon for CMRF Crumlin for the last 26 years,” Eleanor Mooney, from Killiney, said. “I started to do it in memory of my 14-year-old daughter, who was killed in a car accident just after her Inter Cert.

“I would like to encourage others to take part. The satisfaction of doing something for someone else, especially for sick children, is incredible. It’s good for the mind, body and soul.

“To see so many women taking part is very empowering. The atmosphere and the craic along the way is wonderful. Join in, raise funds for a brilliant cause and have a great day.”

Aoife Cahill Mannion, from Dun Laoghaire, says her reason and inspiration for getting involved in the event to raise funds for CMRF Crumlin is because of her fourth and youngest son, Jasper, who is about to celebrate his 10th birthday. 

In 2010, when Jasper was only 10-months-old he was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Aoife and her family were living in the US at the time and far from their family and friends.

“That June after Jasper was diagnosed, the Mini Marathon came around and a fabulous bunch of gorgeous women in my life fund raised and participated in support,” Aoife said. “They had t-shirts printed with his gorgeous cheeky face and while we couldn’t be here to join them, we all wore the same t-shirts they had sent us, on that day in the US. It was so emotional for all of us and the effort, love, support and care that went into that day on our behalf, resonated so strongly with me.”

Aoife took part in the mini marathon for the first time in 2012 and it holds a special place in her heart.

“For me, it is a very personal and emotional day. There are lifetimes of pain, heartbreak and suffering behind the amazingly strong women who turn out to participate in a day so filled with love, fun, support, determination and togetherness. The more support CMRF Crumlin has, the more help they can give to sick children and their families.”

The 2019 mini marathon will mark the 12th year that Audrey McGill has taken part in the event.

“This will be my third time to run it for CMRF Crumlin,” Audrey said. “The work they do for sick children in Crumlin is invaluable. I look forward to the mini marathon every year. It’s such a great day out, the atmosphere is amazing.

“I love the energy and the camaraderie amongst the ladies on the day. I would encourage others to take part in the fun and raise some money for a very worthwhile charity like CMRF Crumlin. You just never know when you might need their help.”

CMRF Crumlin is encouraging people from all different ages and fitness levels to sign up to walk, jog or run the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon of 10k for CMRF Crumlin to raise vital funds for some of Ireland’s sickest children.

For people who want to run the VHI mini marathon they can email Bernice Condon, Challenge Fundraising Executive, at bcondon@cmrf.org or click on www.cmrf.org/get-involved/ourevents/vhi-womens-mini-marathon-2019.