Derry couple giving charities a run for their money

A husband and wife team leading a group of Derry runners who completed six half marathons in four countries have raised a fantastic £10,330 for a number of charities.

Tony O’Connor, a local businessman and proprietor of The Bentley Bar, The Magnet Bar, The Cosh Bar, Slym Gyms and Bistro 9, ran with his wife, Sheila, in Spain, England and Ireland to raise thousands of pounds for Action Cancer, The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Beating Bowel Cancer.

Tony’s business partner Ruairi Breslin, Foncy Hume, Marty Dillon and Eleanor O’Neill joined the dynamic duo on their mission and pounded the pavements and roads to do good deeds.

Tony revealed he and Sheila have been running the last few years to raise money for charity.

“It all started four years ago with the Crab Run, which is in memory of a friend of mine who died from Cystic Fibrosis, Kevin Feeney,” he said.

“Both Ruairi and Foncy also ran the New York Half Marathon, so we’ve received a lot of help from our friends who have also been raising funds for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis.”

Tony added both he and Sheila were delighted by the response from their friends that have joined them in support and the generosity of Derry public.

“As long as you train for it, you’ll be happy enough but there is no buzz like crossing the finish line,” he smiled.

“We have been raising money that has come mostly from all our amazing customers over the last nine months and we would just like to say a big thank you to all our patrons and anyone who has helped us in any way.”

Photo shows, from left, Eleanor O'Neill, Ruairi Bresin, Tony O'Connor, and Sheila O'Connor. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)