Born To Run Club’s Marathon Effort To Help Local School

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Principal of St Ita’s and St Joseph’s School Grace Sheahan, accepts a cheque from the Born To Run Club on Friday morning. Also included are pupils of the school and Majella Milward of The Ashe Hotel, Maria Moynihan, teacher Aoife O’Connor, Marilyn O’Shea and Tom Foley of Born To Run. Photo by Dermot Crean

IT was “back to school” for members of Born To Run Tralee Marathon Club on Friday as they presented a cheque for over €2,000 to students and staff at St Ita’s and St Joseph’s primary and post primary special school.

The popular running club raised €2,058 from their sell-out 40 mile ultra marathon and relay event in July, which will go towards the development of a vocational centre including a hairdressing training facility, woodwork room and school café to support pupils with mild learning disabilities meet their full potential.

Speaking with TraleeToday.ie, club secretary Liam Horan explained that the decision to donate all profits from the 40 mile event to St Ita’s and St Joseph’s was a no-brainer for the organising committee and perfectly in tune with the ethos of the running club.

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“Born To Run Tralee Marathon Club has always been more than just a running club. We see ourselves as part of the wider community providing the opportunity to take part in a healthy, fun pursuit to those that may not be comfortable in a mainstream athletics club,” he said.

“For four years now we have delivered a quality event without any regard for making a profit. But this year, with the generous support of the local business community, we were able to add an extra dimension to our race by raising much needed funds for a tremendous service at St Ita’s and St Joseph’s, that supports their students to be the best that they can be in a world that doesn’t always embrace the most vulnerable in our community.”

Teacher Aoife O’Connor- who is also a member of Born To Run- said that the staff and students were “delighted” to accept the generous donation from the club.

“We as a school community fundraise for our students on an ongoing basis. Presently the school is undergoing an extension to develop a vocational centre and we are very much dependent on fundraising for its completion. We are very grateful for all the support given to us by Born To Run,” said Aoife, who also thanked race sponsors including Weathermaster Kerry Ltd and Prestige Marketing for the support that made the final fundraising figure possible.

For further information about Born To Run Tralee Marathon Club, visit www.borntorunevents.ie or follow on Facebook

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