‘A Marathon for Mum’ generates cash boost for good causes

A Castlefin man who ran the recent Dublin City Marathon in memory of his late mother has raised an impressive €8,000 in her memory.

Barry Chambers from Doohan, which is between Castlefin and Convoy, now resides in Killygordon. Sadly his late mum, Margaret, passed away following a long battle with cancer back on September 23, 2020.

“Throughout her illness, she received excellent care and compassion from the staff of Letterkenny University Hospital Oncology Ward, and she asked me to fundraise, on her behalf, to repay their kindness.”

In addition to this, Barry also wanted to support the work of a retired ED Consultant and volunteer at the National Air Ambulance Service Gerry Lane. Mr Lane voluntarily attends local emergencies in an Air Ambulance Car and was one of the many medics on the scene following the tragedy in Creeslough last October.

Barry Chambers, seated centre, presents Gerry Lane and Damien Bradley of the National Air Ambulance Service with a cheque for €4,000. Barry ran the Dublin City Marathon in memory of his late mother Margaret. Also included in the photo are members of the Finn Valley Flying Club who helped Barry. Front row (l-r): Aine Chambers, Lorraine Bradley, Gabriel Lafferty, Amelia Lafferty. Back row (l-r): Niamh Chambers, Margaret Reid, Paul McGirr, Caroline Lafferty, Kevin Kelly, Christopher Kilpatrick, Andrea McCarron, Allister Kilpatrick and Aimee Lafferty. Missing from the photo is Johnny Kilpatrick Photo: Gerard McHugh Photography

“I wanted to help raise funds for the daily running costs of this invaluable service to the local community so thanks to family, friends and many others around me, I set about raising the cash as best I could. I called my efforts ‘A Marathon for Mum’ in her memory. The money will go to the Oncology Patient Comfort Fund.”

Barry used to “do a bit of running” as he puts it with Finn Valley AC so was no stranger to training for the big events. He is also a man you might see up in the air too.

He’s no stranger to our skies and enjoys trip around Donegal and beyond in his Skyranger Microlight.

“This was my second marathon as I ran it back in 2016 so I knew what was ahead of me. I raised a total of €8,000 so I divided it between the Oncology Ward at Letterkenny University Hospital and Mr Lane's work with the Air Ambulance.

“I set up a GoFundMe account and canvassed everyone I knew to help out. I also organised a coffee day at the Finn Valley Flying Club of which I am a member and this was also a big help.”

Taken aback

Barry says he never expected to raise as much as he did and was taken aback by the generosity he met when he told people what he was raising the cash for.

“I have trained with Finn Valley and have done a bit of cross-country running in the past so I knew what was ahead. I ran the marathon in 3 hours 29 minutes and I was happy with that. I wasn't running to make any time, I was just happy to be able to do it,” he says.

And what about next year's marathon?

“I have my entry in, I couldn't resist. I have plenty of time to think about it but I'd say I will be taking part.”

A man of many talents and what a fantastic gesture in memory of his late mother.