Darren to complete 100km charity challenge

By JACQUELINE HOGGE A TUAM man will complete the final leg of an incredible 100km charity running challenge over the bank holiday weekend when he takes part in the Dublin City Marathon. [private] Darren McGough (in green above) from Arglora has already successfully negotiated a half marathon in Longford and the Streets of Galway 8km road race in recent months. His final hurdle will be the marathon on Monday when his family and friends will be cheering him on as he bids to raise awareness of and funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA). The charity is close to Darren's heart as his father Michael is being treated for motor neurone disease, which is a progressive, incurable disease that attacks the central nervous system. Darren is not the first member of his family to embark on a fundraising drive, as his younger sister Charlene took to the skies 18 months ago in a sponsored parachute jump in aid of IMNDA, of which she is now chairperson of the Galway branch. 'My father Michael was diagnosed with motor neurone disease just over a year ago, around the time Charlene did the parachute jump, so it came as an awful shock to the family,' said Darren. 'Charlene has since gone on to head up the Galway branch of the charity, where all funds raised remain in the county, so I decided to do my bit to support people such as Dad who are affected by it.' He has a tough act to follow in that Charlene raised an impressive €3,500 for the association through her skydiving efforts, but Darren is happy to raise any money he can to help the charity. 'At the moment Dad's condition is deteriorating, it started out affecting his hands but now it's gone into his legs and he's gradually getting worse,' he said. 'We've been so lucky with the support we've received so far from doctors, nurses and physiotherapists visiting the house to help him but he's going to need more and more equipment in the house, which all costs money, and I'm hoping that whatever I can raise will go towards paying for that.' With high hopes of finishing Monday's gruelling race around the streets of Dublin in just over four hours, Darren has left fundraising cards in shops and businesses throughout Tuam. He has also set up a Facebook page and people can donate online at mycharity.ie/events/darrensrun. 'I couldn't have completed this goal and done all this hard work without the fantastic support of my friends, my fiancée Helen Griffin, my brothers Keith, Shane, Ian and my sister Charlene,' he said. 'I have the best motivation in the world to complete my task, my parents Ann and Michael, who have supported me every step of the way. They have always been there for me and my brothers and sisters, and this is the least that I can do to help repay everything they have done for me. They are two of the most loving, hard-working and strong individuals and are such a great example for me.' [/private]