Marathon cheque presented

A cheque for €20,000 was presented last night to James Nolan by Siobhan Mitchell and Margaret Talbot on behalf of the ladies who did the Flora Women's Mini Marathon 2008.

James is the founder of the The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund, which has been the beneficiary of local women's efforts in the Mini Marathon for several years.

James thanked everyone who contributed in any way, especially all the sponsors and the ladies who participated, and their families.

"This money is once again being used to fund the Art Therapy programmes in the Dialysis Units at Tallaght and Waterford hospitals," he said, and then recounted how a nurse in the Dialysis Unit in Tallaght summed up the success of the programme by saying that it gave the patients 'a real sense of purpose' to their time spent on dialysis.

"He saw a sense of achievement -- that they were not just passing time. He also noted that the programme offered a 'huge distraction from worry'."

Darren Cawley from Mayo, who is awaiting a transplant, also organised a group of 24 ladies from his part of the country who joined the Kilcullen group. They raised €5,800 and this money goes the Temple Street Children's Hospital Project.

Finally, James encouraged those present to spread the word and get people thinking 'organ donor cards'. "The most important thing I want to do is to make people aware of the amazing power that we all have to give the gift of life," he said.

James and Emma McHenry got engaged this year and Martina Carey presented them with a card signed by all the ladies, and scrapbook of photographs and memorabilia of the three mini marathons done in aid of PKRF. The book was compiled by Lorraine Hegarty-Kelly.

A plaque was presented to Teresa Meaney, who has completed 20 mini marathons, the last three for PKRF.

A voucher given by James Nolan was won by Eileen Mc Mahon.

Phena Bermingham.