A group of friends of a young Portarlington woman who passed away last month are to run the Women’s Mini Marathon in her memory.
Rachel Flanagan lost her battle with Cystic Fibrosis in March.
But now, in her memory, a group of 15 girls are doing the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.
Gráinne Smyth, Katie Lawlor, Sarah McLoughlin, Róisín Costello, Catriona Gallagher, Clíodhna Murphy, Rebecca Browne, Emma Murphy, Katie Higgins, Aoibhínn Dixon, Kayleigh Stapleton, Katie Pigott, Lily Cunningham, Rebecca Hogan and Sylvanna Sammy will all run in June.
The girls set up a fundraising page yesterday and it has raised almost €800 already.
One of the girls, Gráinne Smyth, recalls Rachel as a bubbly person with a contagious laugh.
She said: “It is safe to say that Rachael had a major impact on all of us, and anyone who knew her.
“She was the bubbliest girl with the most contagious laugh, whenever we talk about her we always talk about her laugh and everyone goes into stitches laughing.
“This is the least we can do in her memory.
“Rachael was the recipient of a double lung transplant. How much Rachael’s life changed when she got that lung transplant was so amazing.
“As well as creating awareness for Cystic Fibrosis we are also urging people to become organ donors because it changes people’s lives.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the girls can do so by clicking here.
The girls asked us to publish this part of a poem to help remember Rachael:
The most beautiful little bird with tired little wings, and a gorgeous smile that made every heart sing.
A love for life that just beamed from within, the strongest fighter that just would not give in.
Be proud that you touched so many lives and hearts, we’ll think of you every single day apart.
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