Rhode Man To Run 100km For Autism
Thursday, 26 January 2012
ON Friday night last in O'Toole's, Rhode The 100k for 100k for autism event was launched by the great iron man from Rhode Paddy Mc Cormack. Paddy, who collected the Bridge House Hotel Offaly GAA football Hall of fame the previous Friday officially launched the event which is hoped will raise €100,000 for Irish Autism Action the national charity for autism in Ireland, whose patron is Keith Duffy. Paddy pledged his support stating that he will do everything he can to ensure that the event is a success.
MC on the night was Jody Gunning who introduced all the speakers. Jody spoke of his involvement in the previous fund-raiser for autism in 2010 which involved Rhode minors. That event raised a staggering €11,750 for Irish Autism Action and Jody said that he was delighted to be involved again in this project. Chrissie Maguire (Chairperson of Rhode Ladies Football Club) spoke of her delight to be involved in this event too and promised to give all the support she can along with her players and colleagues to ensure that the event was a success. Chrissie and Rhode Ladies are already a huge success with 6 adult and 13 underage titles won since their formation in 1998.
Kevin Whelan who is CEO of Irish Autism Action was also present and Kevin spoke of the importance and the greatness of the community spirit. He said that he could really see and feel a great sense of that spirit in Rhode and was overwhelmed by the task that Rhode Ladies and the committee are about to endure. He also said that a lot of people always ask 'where does the money go? ' He stated that the money raised in events goes directly to supporting people with autism and their families. There are many different types of requests and in the current climate and Irish Autism Action will always do what they can to help the people who need it most. Irish Autism Action receive no state funding with the monies it receives is through the generosity of the Irish people home and abroad. Kevin also spoke about Niall's challenge and he said that Niall has a son with autism, but he is not just thinking of his own family situation but others as well with his involvement in this challenge. He concluded by thanking everybody and said he will look forward to April 1st.
Once again, the RTE programme Operation Transformation is catching the attention of so many people and without doubt Edenderry man Adrian Brereton is excelling in his ambition to lose weight. He has already lost a stone since the start and he is really doing so well. Adrian has a massive following on facebook and has large numbers of friends supporting him on his evening walks.
Adrian attended Friday night's launch and said that he would do what he could to help raise the funds for autism and he also pledged to run the last 10km with Niall on April 1st. Adrian mentioned the great football rivalry between Edenderry and Rhode but said there was great friendship between the areas and this showed with events off the pitch. He encouraged people from Edenderry and Rhode to get involved and take part.
Niall Murphy said that when he chose the date for his 100km challenge it was to coincide with the start of Autism Awareness month as World Autism Day is Monday April 2nd, however he was reminded that it is also April Fools day and he commented that maybe he fits that tag too with the challenge. Niall spoke about his son Ryan who is 11 years old and Niall said that his decision to run 100km over ten 10km laps was to relate to the journey of Ryan's life with autism. Niall said he knew in 2002 that something wasn't right with Ryan and proceeded down the road of diagnosis but it was 2004 before that was confirmed. Ryan started school in October 2004 3 days before his 4th birthday in Athboy, 32 miles from Rhode. He spent 10 months in school in Athboy before joining Saplings Mullingar where he currently attends. It has been a struggle and living with autism isn't easy but Niall commented that the support of Kevin Whelan and Irish Autism Action has been a major help. He said that to run the 100km was easier than sometimes dealing with autism. Niall also spoke of the great support that he has received in Rhode over the years and again made reference to the 2010 event which involved Rhode Minor Club, players, Eoghan Hickey, Jody Gunning and Michael Mc Namee.
Niall concluded by explaining the route which will commence at Rhode GAA pitch, to Rhode Village, turning right down past the school and left for Rathcobican, down to the end and turn left for Ballybrian and back into Rhode Village climbing Fahy Hill. Niall said that on each lap he will need to run up to the Comunity Centre to ensure that each lap is 10km. Niall spoke of ways that people can support by purchasing blue Autism Awareness Flags, being a marshall for the day, participate in the 10K road race at 12 noon approx., join Niall on any of the laps or become a captain. For more details visit facebook www.facebook.com/groups/100kfor100k or www.autismireland.ie
This promises to be a unique event for the Rhode Parish and hopefully on April 1st the target of both 100ks will be reached. Niall finally paid tribute to the committee, co-ordinator Michael Mc Namee, facebook Aidan Swords, Eoghan Hickey, Jody Gunning, Chrissie Maguire, Evelyn Malone and Jan Byrne. He also thanked Niall O Toole for his support for the launch and to everyone who attended.
Niall has also set up a sponsor.ie donation page for people who wish may not be able to attend or help in any way, but would like to make a contribution to the charity - see link below
Link
http://www.sponsor.ie/niall-murphy/event/100km-for-100k-for-autism
Subscribe to read full newspaper »
Send to a friend
Please complete the following form to inform a friend about this page.
