Running a marathon is daunting in itself but imagine running 15 marathons in the space of a year. This is exactly what Garda Declan McDonagh, from Listowel Garda Station has decided to do for 2015. All money raised will go to the Ronald McDonald house at Crumlin Children’s Hospital. The Ronald McDonald House provides accommodation, care and support for 20 families every night. Families come from all over Ireland to stay here. They look after families while their children are seriously and long-term ill and inpatient at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. They provide invaluable support to families when they are most in need.

McDonagh said, “I only ever wanted to run one marathon in my life time but I kept going. Tena’s daughter passed away in 2001 and we were all keen to raise money for Crumlin Children’s Hospital.” Tena Griffin lost her baby daughter Andrea in Crumlin Children’s Hospital in December 2001 aged 15 months and she and Eamonn Egan are also taking part in the challenge. Tena says ‘this is my way of giving back the support and help which I received’.

The three are all members of a running group in Listowel and call themselves the Kerry Crusaders. They completed their first marathon on January 24th at the Lilliput Adventure Centre, Mullingar, despite icy conditions. and just completed their 8th marathon at Blackrock Castle in Cork City. McDonagh also took part in this years Paris Marathon and intends to run in the New York one as well.

Kerry Crusaders members from Listowel: Tena-Griffin, Garda-Declan McDonagh & Eamonn-Egan.