Donegal woman goes that extra mile in marathon fundraiser

A Donegal woman ran the Dublin Marathon in memory of her friend’s late uncle, a kidney patient, and raised funds for the Irish Kidney Association.

Lucia Byrne from Glenties, a podiatrist in Donegal Town, ran the 26.2 miles in the capital along with Carol Hegarty from Ballina, Co Mayo.

The pair stepped out for the Irish Kidney Association in memory of Carol's late uncle Ollie Hegarty, who was a kidney patient who passed away in 2022. So far they have raised close to €2,000 in donations to the GoFundMe, tilted Dublin Marathon Irish Kidney Association Fundraiser 2024.

"People have been very generous and we are very grateful to all the people who have supported us,” Carol said. “There is still time for others to donate to our fundraiser for this worthy cause.

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“The Irish Kidney Association has a special place in the hearts of the Hegarty family as the hereditary condition polycystic kidney disease exists in our family. The kidney charity has helped family members gain access to vital treatment and supported us. Family members have had kidney transplants and extensive dialysis treatment. Unfortunately, we lost our uncle Ollie Hegarty to the disease in January 2022 but the treatment he had, helped him live a fulfilled life.

"It was wonderful to have my Donegal friend Lucia's support for the fundraiser by running in the marathon with me, which was the second time for both of us to run the Dublin Marathon.

"In May 2022, my family also did fundraiser for the Irish Kidney Association when my sister Marie Hegarty, who, like Lucia, is also a podiatrist, spearheaded the participation by our extended family - our dad and Oliver's other brothers, Oliver's sisters and nieces and nephews - in the Ballina River Moy Half Marathon raising over €5,000 for the charity."

Each participant running for the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) donned a bright yellow t-shirt with its logo. As they converged in Dublin city from various parts of Ireland and abroad, their collective effort embodied the spirit of solidarity, raising funds to help those affected by kidney disease and organ donor awareness.