Well-known publican completes Dublin Marathon and raises €5k for charity

Former councillor and publican Joe Mellett has thanked friends and customers who supported his fundraiser on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society.

Joe walked the Dublin Marathon on Sunday, October 29 and he set a fundraising target of €5,000 which was exceeded early last week.

The Swinford man, who is in his 70s, completed the 26 miles in just over six-and-a-half-hours and said he was delighted by the generosity of people.

“We exceeded the target in recent days, and we put up a poster in the pub thanking everyone for their support,” Joe said. “It is in recognition of my daughter Marie who has recovered thanks be to God and all the neighbours, friends and everyone in Ireland who is hit with the dreaded disease.” 

Joe said his fundraiser has now finished but he encouraged anyone who did not yet donate to give what they can afford directly to the Irish Cancer Society.

“I want to acknowledge all of the people who did contribute, I hate asking anyone for money, but I was encouraged by an awful lot of people because of what I was doing to go public with it and that is what happened, and it worked out better than I ever expected,” he said. “I would say if you saw a bucket with Irish Cancer Society on it it’s never too late to contribute, my part is only a tiny target of the overall fundraising.” 

If anyone would like to donate they can logon to: Fundraising Page of Joe Mellett (eventmaster.ie) or donate to Dublin City Marathon website.