Mayo native Tomás Guiry this week presented staff at the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA ) with a cheque for €13,805.66. The Foxford local ran 52 individual 5km races in 2017 to raise the much needed funds for the charity. Mr Guiry chose to undertake this mammoth challenge as his aunt Breda Cherakai sadly passed away from motor neurone disease.
Tomás and his mother Martha thank all the Foxford community and everyone who supported Tomás along the way. He took on runs right across the county, country, and even the globe. He clocked some 52 hours running and was joined by 313 others along the way.
This marathon man’s mammoth effort has raised vital funds which will go a long way to help those living with MND. MND is a progressive neurological condition that attacks the motor neurones, or motor nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching the muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting. MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink, and breathe. However not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order.
Guiry chose to support the IMNDA because of the support his aunt received during her illness. The IMNDA is the only organisation of its kind in this country. It was set up in May 1985 to provide care and support to people with motor neurone disease, their carers, families, and friends. MND is often referred to as the 1,000 day disease as most people die within 1,000 days of being diagnosed. There are currently more than 370 people living with MND in Ireland, 17 of whom are in Mayo.
The IMNDA provides specialised services for people affected by this debilitating disease such as equipment on loan, financial assistance towards home help, advice and home visits by its three MND nurses. In order to provide these vital services the IMNDA depends heavily on the generosity of the public and supporters of the association who generate more than 82 per cent of its income.
