Seán takes on marathon challenge .... wearing his wife’s wedding dress
FOR many people simply taking part in and completing their first mini-marathon would be a major achievement in itself.
However, Mallow photographer Seán Jefferies decided to add a little bit of extra style and glamour to last month’s Cork Women’s mini-marathon – taking part in the 6km event dressed in his wife’s wedding dress.
Sean said that he had always wanted to take part in the marathon and that a chance remark from a lady at a business meeting had given him the idea to dress up for the occasion.
“The lady had said she would never take on a male photographer to do a wedding as a man would not fully get the special feel of the occasion from the bride’s point of view,” said Seán.
“This set me thinking and I thought this would be a perfect way to show brides how I do understand the sheer joy of wearing a wedding dress. My wife, Sheila, was fully behind the idea and even took part in the marathon alongside me as my ‘ bridesmaid’ with our friend Elaine Finn, both dressed in their white tutu’s,” he added.
They were among a group of almost 40 people taking part in the mini-marathon in aid of the Cork-based charity Edel House, which provides emergency accommodation to women and children and promotes the empowerment of the women to find and maintain a new independent life in their future home.
“The whole day was great fun and people along the route got a great kick out of seeing this bearded man resplendent in a white wedding dress,” laughed Sean.
He managed to raise €1,700 for Edel House on the day, which included a generous donation of €500 from the North Cork Business Alliance, of which he is a long-standing and active member.
“I would like to thank them and everyone who helped through the Go Fund Me account and cash donations. Their support helped make the occasion such a great success,” said Sean.
“I think I have well and truly caught the marathon bug and am already planning something bigger and better for next year’s event,” he promised.