Charities reap benefit of Mayo.ie Western People Mini-Marathon

There are six weeks until the Mayo.ie Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon on Sunday, May 3, in Ballina and this week we are focusing on charity.

As one of the key aspects of the Mini-Marathon, this year’s event will bring women together to fundraise for a worthy cause.

Hundreds of thousands of Euros have been raised for local and national charities by the participants in the Women’s Mini-Marathon since 2010. The original concept of the event was two-fold, to encourage increased participation in sport by women and to give women in the West of Ireland an event where they could raise funds for a charity of their choice.

When completing registration on www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com, participants are given the option to select a charity they wish to fundraise for and set up an individual fundraising page. This can be added after registration also.

The organisers would love to hear from any charity that would like to partner with the event in Ballina. Charities can get in touch by emailing woiminimarathon@gmail.com and the team will help them to get set up or they can download the guide on the website: www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com.

Fundraising on behalf of Beaumont Hospital Foundation, Danielle Morley is hoping to raise funds for the charity on behalf of her father who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer last year. Danielle’s Dad went to the doctor for a stuffed nose on one side, however, following that appointment he was diagnosed with Sinonasal cancer.

Her Dad went on to have treatment at the Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, and he is now doing well. Danielle wanted to give back to the hospital and decided that completing the Mini-Marathon would be how she would raise funds.

Not a runner, Danielle is stepping into unknown territory and is on her way to completing the right training plan for a novice runner. Having the fundraiser is giving Danielle the push she needs to give the race a go and she has also signed up for the Kilmovee 5km to give her a test run before the big day in May.

“I was on the Runna app, and I was just like, this is just not working for me. My friend lives in Australia, and I was telling her, and I was like, 'I'm really struggling, I'm never going to be able to do this'. And her friend is a running coach in Australia, and he's given me a running plan now and I'm just following what he's given me.” 

Danielle set up her fundraising page on March 7 hoping to raise her target amount of €1,000. However, she has surpassed her target by double after just 12 days. She is blown away by the support she has received for the Beaumont Hospital Charity to date and hopefully will continue to receive until the race on May 3.

“I only put it on Facebook, and I put it on Instagram, and then my mom shared it. And I work in Vantive in Castlebar, and I haven't even told anyone at work that I'm doing it. But she [Mum] works in Vantive in Swinford, and she's told people, then they all donated.

“And then, like, family and friends and everything. Everyone's just so kind like, I never expected anything.

“I'm thrilled now with what I have [raised]. It's just good to give back."

Aideen Kiernan, Community Fundraising and Events Manager for the Beaumont Hospital Foundation, said that the support they get from women taking part in events like the Mini-Marathon helps the Foundation to continue to invest in research, technology, equipment and facilities while providing specialist neurosurgical and neurological care to patients across Ireland.

“Events like the Mayo.ie Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon mean a huge amount to us at Beaumont Hospital Foundation. Every year we are blown away by the number of people who choose to take on a challenge like this to support patients and staff at Beaumont Hospital. 

“Community fundraising plays a vital role in helping us fund projects that enhance patient care, support innovative research and provide essential equipment across the hospital.

“Donations from supporters help ensure the hospital can continue investing in equipment, technology and facilities that make a real difference to patients and their families.”

For anyone who wishes to partake in the West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon, the early bird registration has been extended to Monday April 6. All adults who have registered by the early bird deadline will be included in a draw for two-night stay at the Great National Hotel Ballina which includes bed and breakfast and one evening meal. Early bird entry is €25 until April 6 and will increase to €30 after that date. Over 1,300 people have registered for the event to date, so anyone wishing to take part in this year’s Mini-Marathon are encouraged to book their spot.