The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘Inspirational’ Mary Hand very much in mind as 700 hit runway
BUILD4LIFE Chairperson Joe Browne has paid tribute once more to Dingle’s Mary Hand, the inspiration behind the charity, after the group’s ‘Kerry Airport 5k Run’ drew 700 participants to Farranfore on Friday night.
Mary passed away due to Cystic Fibrosis just over ten years ago at the age of 23, and the hugely successful inaugural staging of this run at Kerry airport was dedicated to her memory.
“Everyone who knew Mary will remember a beautiful, intelligent and remarkable young woman who selflessly did so much in her short life to raise awareness of organ donation and the need for better Cystic Fibrosis facilities”, Joe said.
“She’s the inspiration behind Build4Life. Without her articulation the organisation wouldn’t exist, and there would be no lifesaving facilities for Cystic Fibrosis patients at Cork University Hospital today.”
The charity has raised €4,000,000 for Cystic Fibrosis care at CUH since it was founded ten years ago, and with the superb level of participation at the airport on Friday night, that figure is set to be lifted significantly further.
Among the many facilities the charity’s put in place since it was founded are an adult outpatient clinic, adult isolated inpatient bedrooms for the hospital, and investment in a new children’s isolated Cystic Fibrosis facility at CUH.
Joe thanked the management and staff of Kerry airport for their assistance, as well as the rugby clubs of west Munster, who organised the run alongside Build4Life.
“Peter Moore, manager of the airport, made us most welcome, and we are very grateful to him and his staff, as well as all the rugby clubs who were involved”, Joe said.
“We’re informed that some of the organisers were at the airport from 5am on the morning of the run to help it become the success it was. We’re very grateful”
Around 25 per cent of Ireland’s Cystic Fibrosis patients attend Cork University Hospital, many of whom are from Kerry. Joe has described the organisation’s work as ‘much needed’, and said that the event will be of huge assistance to both the charity and Mary Hand’s legacy.