The second annual Ned Buggy Memorial Run takes place this Sunday May 6 with a bumper crowd expected to attend.
With the weather said to be picking up this weekend, it is anticipated hundreds will take on the 4km course at St Abban’s.
Shane Buggy, son of Crettyard man Ned Buggy, launched the run in his late dad’s memory last year to raise funds for Pieta House.
The Buggy family lost their dad to suicide on April 23 2016 and The Ned Buggy Memorial Run takes place to mark two years after his passing.
Shane said: “On April 23 2016 we lost a great friend, brother, father and husband when Ned died.
“We would like to remember him the way he would like to be remembered by our second annual 4K run or walk.
“Bernard Graham put it perfectly last year, this is not a race, slow down or speed up to cross that line with someone, we all are in this together no one finishes alone.
“In your thoughts and prayers please remember someone that lost their battle with depression. Their families and friends need your support.
“We want to remember Ned’s giving nature, he always was there to lend a hand and help out in anyway he could especially for a great cause.
“This run/walk is there to remember everyone that lost their battles to depression and let people know that there is help out there.
“We want to create more awareness of the issue of mental health, and spread the word about suicide and self harm prevention through organization’s that can help like Pieta House and Solace House NYC.
“We would also like to thank people for all the support we have received.”
The first 200 registered to take part in the Run will get a Ned Buggy Memorial Run T-shirt.
Kindly sponsored by Paul O’Sullivan of Barlo Opel Kilkenny and Richard Dillon of Opel Ireland.
As well as the run on Sunday afternoon, there will be a raffle and auction on Sunday night at 8pm at Behan’s Bar, Turra, with some fantastic prizes on offer.
Some of the prizes include gift baskets from Jameson, Tullamore Dew and Teeling Irish whiskey. There will also be beauty baskets as well as some hotel packages.
There is also an auction also for some highly desirable jerseys, including a Barcelona jersey signed by the team, including Lionel Messi, two Liverpool jerseys, one from Robbie Fowler and one from Jamie Carragher, as well as Ireland rugby jerseys signed by the team and an Andrea Pirlo jersey also.
There is also a piece of the octagon from the wonder boy Steve Thompson’s fight in Vegas – signed by Steve himself.
Registration for the run takes place at 12.30pm in St Abban’s with the start time 1pm. The cost for taking part is €10.