A big thanks to all who supported David’s Marymount run
Thanks in no small part to readers of TheAvondhu, David O’Keeffe has raised €5,700 for Marymount Hospice in honour of his late mother, Geraldine.
Staying within his lockdown 5km, David O’Keeffe Ioiart, a 23-year-old law student and Midleton resident whose maternal family hails from Johnstown in Glanworth, has run 265km, raising for Marymount Hospice a stunning €5,700, a figure surpassing his fundraising target.
“Thank you all very much for all the incredible support over the past month,” David said. “I’m absolutely delighted, and slightly shocked, to have raised €5,700 for Marymount! It’s far beyond anything that I expected, and I know that it will help a very worthy cause.
“As I said before, Marymount was there, at the very worst of times, for my family. It is so important that it be able to continue its fantastic, and very necessary, work supporting patients and families.”
David was inspired to take up fundraising after hearing about the significant funding shortfall experienced by the hospice following the cancellation of most events due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Starting with an initial target of €500, David soon exceeded that. “To be honest, I kept raising the target, but I never thought we’d raise this much!”
For David and his family, as for so many others across Cork and beyond, Marymount is a cause which is of great personal importance. In 2018, David’s mother, Geraldine O’Keeffe Ioiart, from Johnstown, Glanworth, died tragically of cancer aged 48.
“Marymount has meant a lot to me since my mom passed away two years ago,” David told TheAvondhu. “I will never forget the care it provided, nor the empathy, compassion and kindness shown to my family during the most difficult time of our lives.
“It is hugely important that Marymount’s vital services not be jeopardised, and that patients and their families continue to be supported, as my family was, and so many other families have been.”
Concluding his fundraising by running a half marathon, David offered free advice to anyone planning on emulating his efforts.
“P.S. If you intend to run a half marathon, plan your route in advance so you finish up close to home and not, like me, on the other side of town.”
SOMETHING SPECIAL
When David’s mom Geraldine died, her family was comforted greatly by the care they received from Marymount’s staff, and now, columnist of TheAvondhu, Donal O’Keeffe says, his nephew David has given something back.
“My sister Geraldine was terribly proud of David, just as she was of his younger brother Caoimhín.
“Losing Ger was the worst thing that ever happened to our family, and nothing can ever make that right, but what David has done is something special, something which helps to make his mom’s memory live on, and something which will help so many other families in their hour of pain and need.”