Eoghan urges people to join Bog Run in aid of cancer care

Eoghan urges people to join Bog Run in aid of cancer care

26 August 2015

A DRUMAROAD boy, diagnosed with leukaemia days after his second birthday, is urging local people to take part in some messy fundraising fun.

Eoghan Doyle, now seven, wants people to sign up for Cancer Fund for Children’s exhilarating Bog Run challenge at Castlewellan Forest Park on October 11, in aid of the charity that supported him through his cancer battle.

The event will see 250 happy and mucky participants of all fitness levels take on various natural obstacles around the 5km course. 

Money raised will help families like Eoghan’s to benefit from Cancer Fund for Children’s range of practical, emotional and financial support on offer as well as free therapeutic short breaks.

Eoghan’s mum Georgina, who also has two other children, explained how the charity helped her family.

“During Eoghan’s cancer journey we enjoyed a therapeutic short break at the charity’s Daisy Lodge facility in Newcastle,” she said. “It was like a sanctuary, a safe haven away from the gruelling routine of hospital visits and treatment. 

“We got chatting to others and gained a lot from meeting families who understood the challenges and fears of nursing a child with cancer. The staff were amazing and looked after us so well. The food was delicious; it was like eating out every night. 

“People don’t realise how much a place like that is needed until it happens to them. Eoghan and I also benefitted from one-to-one support from the charity’s specialists. 

“The charity relies on funds raised from events like the Bog Run so I would urge everyone to muck in, have a great day out and raise vital funds so that more families can experience that vital, much-needed relief during their child’s cancer journey.”

Natasha Walsh from the charity’s events team has already had a taster of the course.

“The Bog Run challenge is a walk in the park compared to the challenge faced every day by families like Eoghan’s,” she said. “The event is good old messy fun and I will be encouraging friends and family to get stuck into something different. It will be awash with raw energy as participants brace the bog to conquer the rugged, merciless Irish landscape. 

“The Bog Run will be quite physically challenging but in all honesty it will be more dirty than dangerous. Make this October 11 your moment to come away with a story to tell and photos to share while helping people along the way.”

Anyone over the age of 16 can take part however those under 18 will need written permission from a parent or guardian. Registration for the event is £25 in August and £30 thereafter. The minimum sponsorship is £100.

The Bog Run is just one of the many fundraising events that Cancer Fund for Children is promoting throughout Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. These include the Gimme 5 campaign running on Q Radio, Funsie in a Onesie, Zipline the Lagan and the Halloween Skydive.

For more information and to sign up to the Bog Run or any other event log on to cancerfundforchildren.com or email alex@cancerfundforchildren.com