Well known Camlough man Pat McGinn will be participating in the world renowned Great North Run Half Marathon to raise monies for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY Ireland).
The Half marathon takes place in Newcastle England on Sunday 8th September.
Pat explained
“Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is a charity set up to raise awareness of the condition known as Sudden Cardiac Death or Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) .
It also provides free counselling and support for families affected by sudden death or cardiac condition.
I learnt of the great work that this Charity does through fathers who unfortunately lost a loved one suddenly.
Tommy Fegan, Bernard Cumiskey and Kevin McCann and their families know only too well the services CRY provide.
They have spent this past few years raising the awareness of Cardiac Risk in the Young and supporting families who have lost young people suddenly through heart related issues”.
Pat continued,
“Tommys son Kevin (aged 24 died 2010), Bernard’s son Jonathan (aged 33 died 2018) and Kevin’s daughter Shauna (aged 18 died 2008)all died suddenly from heart related conditions.
I knew both of the lads, Kevin and Jonathan and they wouldn’t have passed you without a smile and an hello.
The McCann family have been great personal friends of mine for years and the loss of the lovely Shauna, whilst a student in Liverpool, was a devastating blow.
The families carry the burden of their loss each day but have shown great courage in helping promote the work of CRY Ireland. They do so in gratitude for the care and support they received”.
Pat along with what he calls his ‘team of little helpers’ will be holding a ‘bucket collection’ in Camlough village on Saturday 24th August from 9am to 4pm.
The Camlough man who has completed quite a few full marathon, half marathon, cycling and triathlon challenges for charity since recovering from serious illness over ten years ago, said that despite the pain of loss that the families suffer, they were always willing to help out with with his fundraising.
He said,
“It will be a privilege to run the Great North to raise money for CRY to help it sustain their great work throughout Ireland and also and in a very practical but appropriate way remember Kevin, Jonathan , Shauna and their families and friends who miss them every day.
Tommy, Bernard and Kevin are my friends and we enjoy a bit of craic. They are helping prepare me for this thirteen and a half mile test, whether I want it or not is another question!!”.
Pat has over the years taken on various challenges to help highlight the work of and raise money for local charities.
Asking people for their continued support he said,
“People are generous and have always been very supportive. The Bucket Collection is a nice way of raising a few pounds and getting people to talk about CRY, the issue of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and health and well being in general.
If your passing through the village, drive slowly, shout hello and drop a few coins into the bucket if you can”.
CRY Fund Raising Bucket Collection Saturday 24th August Camlough Village 9am to 4pm.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Pat, or the CRY Charity Directly through the link
-click on DONATE NOW and Pat McGinn Great North Run is listed in the dropDown box.
For more information on the charity, visit WWW.CRY.IE
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