10 years ago my Dad had the pleasure of living out his final days at the Donegal Hospice in Letterkenny. The care that he and our family received from the staff at the Donegal Hospice was unbelievable. They helped make my dad feel like he was at home and not in a hospital environment. Our family could never thank the staff at the Donegal hospice enough for all the help that they gave my family and friends during those last 3 weeks.

My father John was one of the most fun loving and adrenaline seeking people that I have ever known. His motto in life was “life is for living, we can rest when we sleep in heaven” and this was how he lived, through his work ethic and social life. He worked hard and played hard. His biggest passion in life besides his family was his love for rallying. I still to this day find the loss of my father very difficult as do many people across Donegal. Dad was one of those people who touched a lot of lives across the county. He had such a bubbly personality. He was one of those people when he walked into a room, it lit up!! When sitting one evening with my friends, I suggested that I would love to do something fun for Dad’s 10th Anniversary.  One of the girls suggested what about running a marathon and I was like, sure I have never ran before. After talking it over with my cousin Lynn, she convinced me that I could do it, if I really wanted too. Lynn said “sure you have a year now to get ready for it”; start with the couch to 5K and work up from there. So with loads encouragement from my family and friends I decided to run the Walled City Marathon in Derry. I have been so lucky that a close family friend Ciaran Callaghan from Drumoghill said that he would join me on my journey and become my training partner and run the 26.2 miles with me on the 4th June in Derry.