Not content with having conquered a variety of challenges involving mountains, marathons, triathlons and Malin to Mizen cycles, well-known Camlough man Pat McGinn is back on the road again.
And this time he will take on the 2020 world-renowned 26.2 mile London Marathon.
Pat, respected widely for his various fundraising efforts and community involvement, is hoping to raise much needed monies for the Southern Area Hospice.
This weekend local business Boylesports, represented by Joe O’Donoghue, along with Anne MacOscar, from the Southern Area Hospice, joined him to launch his latest fundraising campaign.
Pat explained the reasoning for his tremendous efforts.
He said: “Some years ago after overcoming serious illness I decided that I would do something positive and rewarding but different.
“I committed to entering marathons and other challenges, usually things I never thought I could do, and also at the same time using these challenges to raise money for charities close to my heart, such as Cuan Mhuire, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and the Hospice.
“I am going to participate in the London Marathon 2020 as part of the fundraising ‘Team Hospice’.
“Southern Area Hospice Services have touched the lives of many and we are blessed for the facility and all associated with it and it is a great privilege for me to be part of the ‘team’
“I would like to thank my friends, the Boyle family and all at BoyleSports for their support. Once again the support of Boylesports has helped kickstart my fundraising and will give me the motivation to ensure I have a successful fund raising and complete my run.”
Joe O’Donoghue, of BoyleSports, wished him well.
He said: “We are once again delighted to be supporting Pat, in yet another amazing undertaking as he faces the 26.2 mile London Marathon 2020. Of course it is all for a wonderful cause, the Southern Area Hospice, who do incredible work, which we are only too pleased to be part of supporting.”
Thanking all for their support Anne Mac Oscar, from the Southern Area Hospice, added: “We are indebted to Pat, Joe and all at BoyleSports for their support.
“Southern Area Hospice Services provides invaluable support and care to people living within the Southern Health Board Area, who are suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and AIDS. Our aim is to provide the best quality of life for our patients and their families.
“Southern Area Hospice Services relies heavily on the generosity of local people and the support of our volunteers who help staff deliver services in many ways, from patient care to fundraising.
“All our services are provided free of charge and we rely on 73p in every pound coming from fundraising to enable us to care and support patients and their families. This year, the fundraising department has to raise £2.6 million in order to maintain the level of care currently available. This equates to £216,666 per month, £50,000 per week or £7,123 per day.”
Over the next few months Pat will be out training for his gruelling challenge and will also be holding various fundraising events, such as a ‘Bucket Collection’ Day in Camlough village on Saturday, January 25.
