I LOVE SEEING PEOPLE COME TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. RORY DOHERTY SAVED FIVE LIVES THROUGH ORGAN DONATION LAST YEAR. HIS UNTIMELY AND TRAGIC DEATH IS ABSOLUTELY HEARTBREAKING FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM BUT THE FOUR PEOPLE NOW LIVING ARE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL TO BE GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE. PLEASE COME AND JOIN US ON THE 13TH JULY. RUN OR WALK WHATEVER YOU LIKE JUST JOIN IN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND BELIEVE ME EVERY LITTLE COUNTS
“Dublin footballers and Castleknock locals Alan Brogan and Ciaran Kilkenny lined-out with one of Ireland’s most successful runners, Catherina McKiernan to launch the inaugural Castleknock 5km run which will take place on Sunday the 13th of July. The race will raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis along with raising awareness for organ donation and will take runners and walkers on a new course starting at Castleknock College and travelling through the magnificent Farmleigh Estate in the Phoenix Park.
The stars lined out to support the event which is in memory of Castleknock man Rory Doherty who passed away last June after a tragic work accident at just 33 years of age. As a result of Rory’s organ donations, four lives were saved in Ireland through kidney, pancreas, liver and lung transplants. However Rory’s story took an interesting twist when an RAF jet touched down in Dublin airport for the first time in 20 years and took his heart to England where the fifth recipient received the gift of life as a result of Rory’s tragic death. Rory played a large part in what was a record breaking year in 2013 for organ transplantation in Ireland, with 294 carried out in Irish hospitals.
Race Organiser and close friend of Rory’s, Kate O’Neill, who was selected for the Irish World Mountain running team in 2010 commented; “As a local runner I had always felt there should be a race in Castleknock and after the tragic loss of Rory, I felt it was the ideal opportunity to start the event in memory of a great person who touched so many lives, even after his death. We expect upwards of 1,000 people to take part and the race will take runners and walkers on a unique and challenging route starting at Castlenock College, into the Phoenix Park and through Farmleigh Estate. I would like to thank Alan, Ciaran and Catherina for supporting the event and also to Rory’s family for their backing. Everyone is welcome to sign-up for the race and it promises to be a very special day.”
Along with raising awareness for organ donation, the race will raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, a charity close to Rory’s heart through his friend Marie Duffy. Marie’s daughter Grace was born with Cystic Fibrosis in 2011 and since then Marie has helped to raise over €60,000 for the cause. Marie commented; “I was deeply moved when Rory’s family chose Cystic Fibrosis as the charity for the event and I am delighted to announce that money raised from the race will be used to set-up a Dublin West branch, supporting people affected by Cystoc Fibrosis in the local area.
Details of the race can be found by following Castleknock5km on https://www.facebook.com/Castleknock5km and https://twitter.com/Castleknock5km. The race is open to all participants over the age of 12. The event is sponsored by Paddy Power and supported by local businesses including Westbrook Motors, Match Girl Cards and MenuPages.ie. Online entry is €20 with funds raised going to Cystic Fibrosis and people can register now on http://precisiontiming.primo-solutions.co.uk/ps/event/Castleknock5KmRun2014
- Starting and finishing in Castleknock College School
- Onsite parking facilities available
- Prizes in all categories
- Race t-shirts will be provided to the first 800 entries
- Pre-entry cost €20.00 and €25.00 on the day
- This event is for Over 12’s and Buggies are not permitted