Chronic kidney disease sufferer plans Fun Run close to home

Friends organise event in Magheracloone for charity close to their heart

Two local women have organised a community fundraiser in aid of the Irish Kidney Association.

Pamela Proudfoot from Kingscourt has chronic kidney disease and last year, her and her friend Catherine McGuirk from Magheracloone, Co. Monaghan ran the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon to raise money for the Irish Kidney Association.

But while Pamela found the event enjoyable and worthwhile it was also challenging for her because, including the 10km race, she walked 23km that day.

This year, despite of or because of those challenges, Pamela and Catherina have come up with a way to raise money for the charity close to their heart closer to home.

They have organised a Family Fun Run in Magheracloone next Saturday, May 31 beginning at 11am.

For Pamela, this cause is personal. Her cousin, Shannen Proudfoot, from County Meath underwent a paediatric kidney transplant in 2013.

During the pandemic, Pamela decided to have herself checked out although she was not even feeling unwell. Blood tests revealed she had stage three kidney disease, which, came as a complete shock.

Shannen Proudfoot had been in and out of hospital since she was six weeks old with kidney problems. In 2013, her aunt and neighbour gave Shannen one of her kidneys which was transported from Beaumont Hospital to Temple Street Children’s Hospital for the complicated surgery.

Both Shannen and Ann will join Pamela and Catherina for the Fun Run in Magheracloone on May 31.

The event will feature both 5K and 10K routes, which participants can walk, jog or run.

For the first man and woman over the finish line there is prizes of €100 vouchers for Cabra Castle, thanks to Gyproc Ireland.

There are also special gift bags for the first runner-up boys and girls U12s, to finish each distance.

Registration will be from 10am for 11am start at Maheracloone Community Centre (A81 HC99) on Saturday, May 31. Refreshments will be served afterwards with a social gathering for all ages to enjoy.

The entry fee is €10 for adults and €5 for children with all proceeds going directly to the Irish Kidney Association. Payment on the day by cash only. For those who cannot take part but wish to support the event visit www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/IKAFunRun1/

“It’s more than a race,” a spokesperson from the Irish Kidney Association said, “the day will focus on solidarity, awareness, and community support for people living with kidney and other organ failure.”