Longford MS Christmas Day Run has raised an incredible €161,000 over the years

After the successful virtual events of 2020 and 2021, the annual Christmas Day Run in aid of the Longford Branch of Multiple Sclerosis returns as an ‘in person’ event this year and everyone is looking forward to it.

The run starts on Christmas Day at 12 noon from Newtowncashel, and walkers are also very welcome and they start from 11.30am.

There are prizes for run winners and all participants receive a t-shirt sponsored by Peter Hanley Motors, Ballymahon. This sponsorship ensures that all money raised goes directly to the Longford Branch of Multiple Sclerosis.

The run / walk finishes at the hall in Lanesboro and there will be refreshments afterwards for everyone to enjoy.

One of the organisers, Michael Flood explained, “This is the 32nd year of the Longford MS Christmas Day Run and after two years away as a virtual run owing to Covid-19 we are delighted to have it back to normal again.”

Michael added, “Anyone who can't make it to Newtowncashel and Lanesboro on Christmas Day is invited to complete the run / walk virtually if they wish as I will be doing it virtually myself this year. All sponsorship goes directly to Longford MS and can be donated on the day or via http://GoFundMe.com/f/ms-Christmas-day-run-2022.”

Michael pointed out that the great thing about being able to do the run virtually is that it gives people who took part over the past three decades the opportunity to join again from anywhere in the world.

Michael also poignantly remembered the late Donal Chapman, Lisnacusha, who was diagnosed with MS some 23 years ago, and died on September 24 of this year. Donal fought his condition with a wonderful courage, spirit, dignity and a fabulous resilience as was his personality.

He said, “Donal was very involved with the Longford Branch of Multiple Sclerosis and he was a great supporter of the Christmas Day Run over the years.”

The Longford MS Christmas Day Run has raised an incredible €161,000 over the years for Longford Multiple Sclerosis and Michael added, “The support we have received from everyone over the past three decades is greatly appreciated and with your help, we'd love to keep that going.”

Michael's brother, Ger, originally set up the run decades ago before moving to Australia. They both took part virtually last year, with Ger in Melbourne and Michael in Galway.

“We appreciate the support we've got over the last 31 years,” Michael said. “It's been a tough year for everyone, emerging from Covid-19 - and I know it is still around, and now we have a cost of living crisis, but organisations like Longford MS need support more than ever. Even people who can't do the run can donate directly to the Go Fund Me page. The main thing is to raise as much money as we can.”

For more information on the Longford MS Christmas Day Run, you can contact Michael Flood on 086 0880855 or alternatively log on to their Facebook page and search Longford MS Christmas Day Run.

You can make a donation via http://GoFundMe.com/f/ms-Christmas-day-run-2022