Larry and Pat on the run again

Two local Camlough men will be joining World & Olympic Champion Mo Farah at the starting line of the Great North Run this coming September. Larry Mc Cabe and Pat Mc Ginn will be participating in the World,s biggest half marathon in Newcastle England to raise funds for the Southern Area Hospice.

The two "bhoys" we're part of a group who raised over £47,000 by completing this years London Marathon and the 36th annual Great North Run which takes place over a 13.1 mile distance between Newcastle and South Shields is another one of their fund raising efforts for the Southern Area Hospice.

Larry explained "Southern Area Hospice Services (SAHS) 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. Their services are provided free of charge and they rely heavily on voluntary donations to continue providing their special care.  Southern Area Hospice Services relies on 73p in every pound coming from fundraising to enable them to care and support patients and their families. The Fundraising Dept has to raise £2.42 million in 2016 to maintain the level of care currently available. This equates to £201,666 per month, £46,538 per week or £6,630 per day. Myself and Pat are delighted to be able to raise funds for this worthy charity".

The two friends who crossed the finish line of the gruelling 26 mile London Marathon together feel they will not threaten Mo Farrah who ran the course last year in a time of 59.22, but they are determined to finish the demanding course. "Our training schedule could be better" joked Pat Mc Ginn " but we will do our best to stay away from the Chip Shops for a few weeks"

"We have had family and friends who have availed of the caring, compassionate and professional services of the Hospice and this is a motivation in itself. We also want those who are currently facing the challenges of cancer and serious illness to know that they are not forgotten and we salute their courage in such trying times  said Pat.

The two life long friends will be holding "bucket collection days" in Camlough and Crossmaglen within the coming weeks.