Derry man set to run Scotland ultramarathon to raise money for charity in memory of his father

A Derry man has challenged himself to complete the Scotland ultra-marathon to raise money for the Motor Neurones Disease Association Northern Ireland.

Emmett O’Hara has begun his training for the charity fundraising event, which is in June.

He took to Instagram to post about his efforts to raise money for MNDA NI.

He said: “Over the past year I have been considering a new challenge while I am still young and able to help support this amazing charity to raise much-needed funds to support people and families affected by MND.

“I have decided to do the Ultra Scotland in 2025 on June 7. After discussions with friends and family, I have signed up to take on the 96km run, a challenge that will test me more than anything I have ever done before, and I can’t wait.”

The cause is one that is personal to Emmett, as he lost his father three years ago to the disease.

He said: “Three years have passed since I lost my dad to motor neuron disease, and life has changed massively. coming to terms with the indescribable loss, mentally and emotionally has been very hard, to say the least. 

“But there is light after grief, which makes life worth living, without someone I thought I couldn’t live without.”

Three years ago Emmett pushed himself to run 10 half marathons in 10 days, and in doing so he managed to raise £30,000 for the charity.

Ahead of the challenge, he has received support from Conleith McGeary and the Beeswing in Liverpool to have a charity night the weekend after, June 14, the challenge to help raise further funds for the association. 

Emmett has provided a JustGiving page that is available through his link.

He said: “Every contribution is going to help people diagnosed with this disease. I want them and their families to be supported as best as possible, with services that my family would have been grateful for, to hopefully make living with MND just a little bit easier.”