Raising Marie Curie cash is best way to honour dad
A Rutherglen dad has raised almost £5000 for the Marie Curie Nurses who cared for his father at the end of his life.
James O’Neill, 37, set off from his home in the town for a 60K fundraising challenge on Friday – what would have been the 40th wedding anniversary of his parents, Marelle and Sean, and his dad’s 60th birthday.
James, his brothers Mark and Andrew – who travelled from Australia – and mum Marelle were with Belfast-born Sean when he lost his seven-year battle with cancer on May 17.
He was cared for during the last six weeks of his life by district nurses in Derry and by Marie Curie Nurses.
James, an accountant with Strathclyde University, said: “Dad was such a happy-golucky guy, always having a laugh and a joke and was really into hill-walking.
“The cancer kept moving around his body and it was hard seeing the disease rob him of his mobility.
“Those last few weeks were all about keeping him as comfortable as possible and free of pain.
“My mum was worried she might catch coronavirus and not be able to care for him or pass it onto him. We were all being as careful as possible and it was strange how normal conventions went out the window, like not being able to give my brothers and mum a hug.
“I feel so lucky that we were all able to be with him during lockdown as I know many families weren’t able to be with loved ones.”
And James was full of praise for the nurses who helped his father.
He explained: “We had some brilliant Marie Curie nurses come out to care for Dad. They’d even come out at 3am and you knew they were going on to another family after.
“They were very professional and would have a laugh with Dad, which he loved. His funeral was hard, very restricted as there was just 12 people who could be there and we had a wake of sorts in the funeral home.”
Although James has completed a half marathon and marathon before, this was his toughest challenge yet.
His route started at his Rutherglen home, along the cycle path to Glasgow Green, on to the Riverside Museum, out towards Clydebank and Damuir and back, out east towards Carmyle and back through the Clyde Gateway.
He finished the challenge at his dad’s paving stone at Celtic Park, met by his wife Karen and six-year-old son, Rory.
After completing the challenge, he told the Reformer: “Friday went better than I could have imagined. I had it broken down into three 20km segments and it was probably the middle one that I found the toughest.
“My friend Martin ran the last 14 miles alongside me so that was a massive help. Knowing that my friends and family were at the finish line spurred me on.
“The last few kilometres were tough but I had prepared as best I could mentally for that.
“The pain I was in paled into insignificance compared to what my dad went through so I just kept thinking about that.
“It was a great feeling at the end and I got to run the last few steps with my son Rory . I flew over to Ireland on Saturday and it was great to spend the weekend with my family.”
And the dad was full of praise for the impact the Marie Curie nurses had made to his family.
James continued: “You don’t know until you’re in the situation what a difference Marie Curie makes.
“I had never realised how reliant on funding they are and I wanted to challenge myself in tribute to Dad, but also to thank Marie Curie for everything they did for my family.
“My family, friends and work colleagues are all behind me and mum has simply said it’s made her very proud.”
Marie Curie community fundraiser, Amanda Casey, said: “James really pushed himself to the limit with this challenge and we are so grateful for his support and that of the friends, family and colleagues who are getting behind his fundraising.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ james-o-neill21 to donate.