Laois girls Olwyn Hanson and Orla Dunne are holding a fundraiser in Portlaoise tomorrow night ahead of their latest half marathon in the Aran Islands in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
This will be the seventh year for the girls to take part and as part of their fund-raising initiative they are hosting a Chinese buffet in the Rose Palace in Portlaoise.
Indeed their is a strong Laois connection to the annual event – which takes place on Inis Mor – on Saturday, April 22.
Angi McNulty from Portlaoise is the Special Events Manager with Temple Street and her enthusiasm has meant a larger number of local people doing the half marathon in Galway every year.
Orla is a first cousin of Angi and together they got Olwyn on board a number of years back.
“We said we’d do it for the craic,” says Olwyn. “We had never walked 5K before so it’s fair to say we didn’t prepare very well for the 21K and we didn’t know what to expect on the rough terrain of the island – but we finished it and spent a few days nursing the blisters and learning how to walk all over again!
“But it’s become tradition ever since! There’s a strong Laois connection to the half marathon with many of the same faces returning year after year in April to do it. We’ve made many new friends and each year it just gets better.
“Laois people are so generous with our fundraising events and we really appreciate it,” adds Olwyn.
Chinese Buffet
“This Thursday we are doing an all you can eat Chinese buffet in The Rose palace at 8pm with prizes on the night. Tickets are €20.
“Along with personal donations, Dunnes Stores have kindly let us do a bag pack in April so hopefully will hit our target then.”
And while getting through the 21K is tough going, the whole buzz of the occasion and how worthy the charity is, gets them through it.
“We didn’t have much connection to it when we started out but it has now become so special to us. Since we started seven years ago, we’ve both become aunts to nieces and have godchildren.
“We hope they never have to use the hospital, but if they do we know they will be in excellent hands. It’s something we hope to continue for many years. The hospital is so heavily reliant on donations from the public but the work they do with children is invaluable.
“And Angi is definitely the draw for so many Laois people taking part. She is a great woman and it wouldn’t be happening without her.”
