Aughnasheelin and Ballinamore lads run Dublin City Marathon to raises funds

On Sunday, October 28th four men from the Aughnasheelin and Ballinamore area participated in the Dublin City Marathon while raising much needed funds for charity including ‘Cliona’s for families with a seriously sick child’ and for TSC Ireland, (Tuberous sclerosis condition).

Damien Gilheaney who is a native of Aughnasheelin has to date raised over €17,000 for TSC. Damien’s son Rian was born earlier this year and following some challenging sickness and trauma was eventually at 3 months diagnosed with the rear condition TSC. He has spent over 8 months in Temple Street hospital and has only been discharged and returned home in recent weeks.

By running in the Dublin City Marathon Damien’s hope was to raise awareness of this condition while through a ‘go fund me’ account raise money to further the necessary research and seek to find ways to improve the outcomes for babies like Rian as they progress on into childhood. Over one million people worldwide have been diagnosed with the Tuberous sclerosis condition.

Damien and his partner Leanne are also anxious to acknowledge the magnificent work of the doctors and specialist nurses at Temple St., who not only look after the babies so well but provide magnificent support and comfort to their parents at such a challenging time.

Running alongside Damien on bank holiday Sunday were brothers Mark and Cathal Egan alongside former Leitrim County player and Sean O’Heslins star Wayne McKeon.

All completed the marathon in good times without any injury. They are anxious to thank all their friends and neighbours from Leitrim and beyond for their very generous financial contributions to their chosen charity which will provide support for many families with sick children in Ireland and hopefully through further research find ways of dealing with the challenges of TSC.