RUNNING MAN IS HONOURED
DON Thornton, the man who ran a 10k a day for 365 days in a fundraising drive for the Drogheda Alzheimer’s Group, admitted he was honoured to accept the Outstanding Individual in the Community Award at the PPN night in Castlebellingham last week.
Organised to honour volunteers in the Louth area, Don was nominated by the Alzheimer’s group for his astonishing efforts.
No matter the weather, how he was feeling, or the time, the former FAI Youths Cup winner with Drogheda United headed out onto the roads and fields each day in pursuit of his goal.
In the end, he collected €22,000 for the charity, who are fundraising for a purpose built centre, but admitted it was tough to actually stop running in the end!
‘I did go out for a while after the 365 days because I got so used to doing it,’ he stated.
He recalled one day when he didn’t have a chance to hit the road until 11pm, but made it.
‘I usually went out in the mornings,’ he remarked. He got great support on the way from many of his old soccer buddies and he’d like to thank them for all their backing too.
‘I never thought I’d be getting an award for doing this. My dad has Alzheimer’s and I just wanted to give something back. It’s about creating awareness and if this award helps that, then great,’ he stated.
Ann Short from the Alzheimer’s group, who attended on the night, said she was over the moon with Don’s award.
‘He’s our champion and we are very proud of him,’ she stated.