Friends ran marathons and more for impressive fundraising feat

TWO Galway friends have raised more than €38,000 for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation in 2025 via five different events.

Bryan Walsh from Clonberne and Máire Mulkerins from Bullaun, decided to raise the monies for the nationwide children’s foundation in honour of Bryan’s niece, Grace Costello.

Grace is from Clonberne. She is the daughter of Brendan and Aisling Costello, and sister to Milo and Paudie. Grace lives with developmental delays, microcephaly and hearing loss. She was born in 2021 and receives in-home nursing support through the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

Bryan and Máire’s first fundraising effort saw them brave the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean on each of the 28 days of February for the Freezbury challenge.

The duo did the Limerick City Half Marathon at the start of May. In June, Bryan and Máire abseiled 150feet from the top of Croke Park, alongside Bryan’s brothers Barry and Shane.

A table quiz was held in Ruane’s Pub in Glentane in August, and at the end of October, Bryan and Máire finalised their fundraising to-do list by completing the 42.2km Dublin City Marathon.

“We want to extend a huge thank you as we are truly blown away by Bryan and Máire’s incredible fundraising efforts this year,” said Alie Sheridan, Head of Fundraising with the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

“They have clearly shown that by choosing the right challenges and engaging your friends and wider communities it is possible to make an enormous difference to the families we support across Ireland, including 28 in County Galway.”

The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation is aiming to raise €650,000 for the ‘It Takes a Village’ campaign this Christmas for over 450 families that the organisation provides support to nationwide. More information on this can be found at www.jackandjill.ie.