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Camlough man Pat McGinn is preparing to take on this year's Great North Run Half Marathon in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) Ireland. McGinn, a long-time supporter and volunteer with the charity, will be supplementing his fundraising efforts with two events in Newry and Camlough later this month.
CRY Ireland is a self-supporting charity that provides free clinical cardiac screening for families in Ireland affected by, or at risk of, sudden cardiac death in a young person, as well as counselling and emotional support for families coping with loss.
The Great North Run, held annually in Newcastle, England each September, is the largest half marathon in the world. McGinn has taken part in numerous marathons, half marathons, triathlons and cycling challenges for charity since recovering from a serious illness more than a decade ago, and says this year's event offers another chance to support a cause close to his heart.
Explaining his connection to CRY Ireland, McGinn said the charity raises awareness of Sudden Cardiac Death and Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS), and provides free counselling and support for families affected by sudden bereavement or inherited cardiac conditions. McGinn learned of the charity's work through families in his own community who lost loved ones far too soon, among them Kevin Fegan, who died aged 24 in 2010, Jonathan Cumiskey, who died aged 33 in 2018, and Shauna McCann, who died aged just 18 while studying in Liverpool in 2008.
"I knew Kevin and Jonathan well. They wouldn't have passed you without a smile or a hello. The McCann family have been close friends of mine for many years, and the loss of the lovely Shauna was devastating," Pat said.
He paid tribute to the courage shown by the families in the years since their loss. "While these families carry the pain of their loss every single day, they have shown remarkable courage by helping raise awareness of CRY Ireland and supporting other families. They do it out of gratitude for the care and support they received."
Pat said it would be a privilege to run the Great North Run to help CRY continue its work, and to remember Kevin, Jonathan, Shauna and all those missed every day by their families and friends. He also thanked his friends Tommy Fegan, Bernard Cumiskey and Kevin McCann for their support in his preparations. "Tommy, Bernard and Kevin are my friends and we enjoy a bit of craic. They're helping prepare me for this thirteen-and-a-half-mile challenge, whether I want the help or not is another question!"
Two fundraising events have been organised locally ahead of the run. A Quiz Night will be held in The Bank Bar, Newry, on Thursday, 27 August, beginning at 8.30pm and a Street Bucket Collection will take place in Camlough Village on Saturday, 29 August, from 9.00am until 3.00pm.
McGinn is encouraging the local community to support both events. "People have always been incredibly generous and supportive. The bucket collection is a great way to raise funds while also getting people talking about CRY, Sudden Adult Death Syndrome and the importance of looking after our heart health. If you're passing through Camlough on the day, please slow down, say hello and, if you can, drop a few pounds into the bucket. Every donation, no matter how small, will help or indeed if you fancy a night's craic you are more than welcome to our Quiz Night in the Bank Bar Newry."
