Progress "En Route"
Tuesday 20th May 2008 - tonight we are preparing everything for going to Bundoran tomorrow to start the run on Thursday. Slight note of irony as this very same night last year we were packing up and preparing for the journey home from Turkey (anyone who has been will know it's a pretty long airport transfer plus 5 hour flight). Little did we realise where that journey would bring us!
Anyway, everthing is set - we will collect the support van in the morning and 'decorate' it with the stickers kindly supplied by Ivor Smyth of IVS Services - they look amazing, we will upload a photo of the van as soon as we get one!
A huge huge huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the run in any way, from all the staff in G&L Consultancy Banbridge who will be holding the fort for the next few weeks and have had to put up with Alan's radio interviews being broadcast in the office!, to neighbours, friends, family, businesses, and strangers who have given up their time and money to make this whole thing possible. We are touched everyday by the generosity that has been shown to us.
Keep checking out the site for updates along the way and if you see us along the route (you won't miss the van!!) show your support with a beep or a wave!!
Thursday 22nd May 2008 - What a difference a year makes! Alan said this morning that he could think of no better way to remember the first 'anniversary' of Oliver contracting Meningitis than doing what they are doing!
Alan and Simon got the run off to a great start this morning despite the Bundoran drizzle and wind (to be expected on the Atlantic coast I suppose!). Following a hearty breakfast at the Great Northern and an indepth interview and photos with the Donegal Democrat they started the run at 11:00 and completed the first 14 miles as planned, followed by an afternoon of fundraising in Enniskillen. So far so good.......
Friday 23rd May - Saturday 24th May - Another two days successful running which brought the boys to just past Enniskillen. The fundraising gig in the Fort Lodge hotel was held on Saturday evening and raised a fantastic sum of money - a huge thank you to John Ralph and everyone else involved in this event.
Sunday 25th May - The last of four days running before their rest day. 14 miles today brought Alan and Simon to Rosslea just outside Monaghan.
Monday 26th May - Alan and Simon had a very well deserved rest day - although they were joined by friends and family and played a good game of football at the campsite! Some rest!!
Tuesday 27th May - Back on the road again, this time from Rosslea into Monaghan, followed by fundraising in Armagh.
Wednesday 28th May - Monaghan to Armagh - a hard run for Alan but they still managed to do 13 miles. The rest of the day was spent fundraising in Monaghan and Portadown.
Thursday 29th May - Armagh to Portadown - The last of the three day stretch before a rest day. Alan seems to have recovered from his previous day's tiredness and had a good run today. They have almost reached the 100 mile mark - 98 done so far!! More fundraising today in Portadown.
Friday 30th May - Rest Day No. 2! Alan doesn't like to rest too much and so himself and Simon spent another day on the streets of Armagh raising as much money as possible!!
Saturday 31st May - Running from Portadown to Banbridge. Join us today at Tesco to show your support and throw a few coins in the bucket!
Sunday 1st June - Banbridge to Moneyslane. 12 miles today leaves 12 miles for Tuesday into Newcastle. The boys were followed today by Karen, Niamh and Oliver, along with "The Sweeney's" - friends we made during Oliver's time in PICU. The last time Simon had seen them was exactly a year ago when both families were in their darkest hours with children fighting for their lives. A year on, Simon described it as one of the highlights of the run, seeing them happy and healthy and great friends now!
Hard to believe there is only 1 day's running left!
Monday 2nd June - Street Collections in Banbridge - fantastic support as always.
Tuesday 3rd June - The Last Day!!! The boys met up with Shenna Kelly (Karen's cousin) who had foolishly agreed a while back to join them on the last day running. Like everyone else in the family, Shenna gave us great support when Oliver was in hospital - she is a Radiographer in the Royal and spent many of her breaks visiting Oliver as well as popping in before and/or after her shift, so we were especially grateful when she said she would run on the last day. The run was described as 'pretty easy' by both Alan and Simon who having done over 120 miles up until that point seem to be finding it easier by the day instead of harder!
Alan, Simon and Shenna arrived in Newcastle just before noon and ran down the main street and over the bridge to 'touch the sea'. They were then joined by several family members before meeting up with the press for a few 'finishing shots' and a fabulous lunch hosted by the Mourne Cafe, a newly opened restaurant/cafe just infront of Donard Car Park.
It's hard to put into words how it feels for it all to be finished - a mixture of emotions from elation to having achieved something on this scale, relief that it went so well, as well as a small element of sadness that it is over, but mostly we are all of the same opinion that it has been an amazingly positive experience which will stay with us forever. The generosity that has been shown to us throughout the event has been fantastic both in financial and hospitality terms - we have been warmly welcomed everywhere along the journey.
We are all obviously extremely grateful to everyone involved as we have said several times before, but thanks again - whatever your contribution, large or small, monetary or not, it all helped to make the run an experience never to be forgotten.
Of course one of the highlights of the entire event has to be the amount of awareness raised - we have given out over 5000 Meningitis Symptoms Cards during the run, which is fantastic. If everyone who got one, looks at them even once, and if half the people keep them, there's a really good chance that someone's life (or maybe even several peoples) might be saved as a result and that really does make the whole thing worthwhile!
Here's just a few photos of the final day - arriving in Newcastle!
