Memorial fun run a resounding success
THE organisers of the Tara Bishop Memorial Fun Run have expressed delight at the success of the event, which raised money for Temple Street Hospital and Ballymurn National School.
The event, which was organised husband and wife, Bobby and Margaret Redmond, was based in Ballymurn and followed a 10km route close to the village.
Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Redmond said that while this was the fifth year that a run was organised in the locality it was the first time that it was a memorial event.
Tara Bishop was a pupil in the local national school and the decision was made to dedicate this year’s event in her name.
Over 600 participants took part and all of the money raised – which is expected to be in the region of €6,500 – will be divided equally between the school and the hospital.
‘We were delighted with its success and we were very grateful of the support it got locally,’ said Mr Redmond.
He paid tribute to KDK Scaffolding for sponsoring it and to all of the staff in the school who were fully supportive of the initiative.
In addition to the general public there were two teams competing against each other in the run – one representing the school and one representing the hospital.
Mr Redmond acknowledged local boxing hero Adam Nolan who took part in the event as a member of the hospital team.
The hospital team took ‘the win’ following a close race against the school squad and was presented with the Tara Bishop perpetual cup.
When asked where the idea for the fun run came from initially Mr Redmond said he just decided to do something for the hospital five years ago.
‘I just decided to it to raise money for the hospital and 200 people took part in the first one,’ he said.
In the interim, the event has gained in popularity, a fact which was underlined by this year’s record amount of participants.
‘The third year we organised it the school got in behind it and since then we’ve donated the money between the school and hospital,’ said Mr Redmond.
Principal of Ballymurn National School Maria Brophy said the event was a great occasion.
‘This is the third year we’ve been involved and it’s done for Temple Street hospital,’ she said.
‘Tara was here for eight years and I taught her in sixth class and she was a really special person to be around,’ she added.
‘This year’s fun run was really a celebration of her and it was a real community event with everyone getting behind it.’
Ms Brophy said Tara played a big part in the life of the school: ‘She was part of the fabric of the school and it was cathartic to go out and remember her.’
‘We are hoping it will now become known as the Tara Bishop memorial fun run,’ she said.
She also expressed gratitude to everyone who supported the initiative in any way.