Pat Takes On Great North Run Half Marathon For CRY | Newry News

Well-known Camlough man  Pat McGinn will participate in the world-renowned Great North Run Half Marathon to raise funds for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY Ireland).

The Half marathon takes place in Newcastle, England, on Sunday 8 September.

Pat explains, “Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is a charity set up to raise awareness of the condition known as Sudden Cardiac Death or Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).

“It also provides free counselling and support for families affected by sudden death or cardiac condition.

“I learnt of the great work that this Charity does through fathers who unfortunately lost a loved one suddenly.

“Tommy Fegan, Bernard Cumiskey, Kevin McCann, and their families know only too well the services CRY provides.

“They have spent this past few years raising the awareness of Cardiac Risk in the Young and supporting families who have lost young people suddenly through heart-related issues.”

Pat continues, “Tommy’s son Kevin (aged 24 and died in 2010), Bernard’s son Jonathan (aged 33, died in 2018) and Kevin’s daughter Shauna (aged 18, died in 2008) all died suddenly from heart-related conditions.

“I knew both of the lads, Kevin and Jonathan, and they wouldn’t have passed you without a smile and a hello.

“The McCann family have been great personal friends of mine for years, and the loss of the lovely Shauna, who was a student in Liverpool, was a devastating blow.

“The families carry the burden of their loss each day but have shown great courage in helping promote the work of CRY Ireland.

“They do so in gratitude for the care and support they received.”

The Camlough man, who has completed quite a few full marathons, half marathons, cycling and triathlon challenges for charity since recovering from serious illness over ten years ago, said that despite the pain of loss that the families suffer, they were always willing to help out with his fundraising.

He continues, “It will be a privilege to run the Great North to raise money for CRY to help it sustain its great work throughout Ireland and also, in a very practical but appropriate way, remember Kevin, Jonathan, Shauna, and their families and friends who miss them every day.

“Tommy, Bernard and Kevin are my friends, and we enjoy a bit of craic. They are helping prepare me for this thirteen-and-a-half mile test; whether I want it or not is another question!”.

Over the years, Pat has taken on various challenges to help highlight the work of and raise money for local charities.

He asks people for their continued support, and he adds, “People are generous and have always been very supportive. The Bucket Collection is a nice way of raising a few pounds and getting people to talk about CRY, the issue of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and health and well-being in general.

Anyone wishing to donate can contact Pat or the CRY Charity by clicking here.

Click on DONATE NOW, and Pat McGinn Great North Run is listed in the dropdown box.

For more information on the charity, visit WWW.CRY.IE.

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=81052

Posted by NewryTimes News on Aug 28 2024. Filed under Community, Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry