Like many people over lockdown I was experiencing a void in life with our hobbies and interests being postponed. Just before Christmas a mate of mine Tony met me for a run and on this morning I was left realising how unfit I was.

Over the course of the last 2 months I have developed a love for running and have enjoyed the head space it offers as well as noticing how healthier it has made me feel.

I have ran distances I couldn’t have imagined doing as I was never keen on running even when I was playing football many years ago.

In March, Marty, one of the players from a team I will be coaching this year sent me a challenge that entails running for 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours and I immediately thought that would have been a really great thing to complete.

I turn 40 this year and to mark my birthday I am going to complete the above challenge and will raise money for two local charities, PIPS Hope and Support and Newry Hospice. These two charities do wonderful work in the local area. Many families have experienced loss of a loved one who has been taken care of by the wonderful staff at the hospice in Newry.

Many of us are experiencing challenging times with the pandemic. I was appointed joint manager of a football team but with current restrictions in place I have been unable to engage in any meaningful way with this team. I have found that running has helped fill that void that I am currently experiencing. My family and myself are very much involved in GAA activities and it provides a lot of enjoyment in our lives. We miss the social interaction of meeting people and my kids miss the enjoyment of being with their friends. Many people are finding that their mental health is being challenged somewhat in these trying times. There is always someone available to talk to and that is a big reason why I have chosen the PIPS Hope and Support charity as one of my benefactors from this fundraiser. The service they provide has been and will continue to be valuable for many people.

I will be starting the challenge on Friday 7th May at 12.00 am/Midnight. I will be doing my last run on Saturday 8th May at 8pm.

I have told family not to give me presents for my birthday and instead to make a donation to both these charities who offer great comfort to families at times of extreme loss and suffering.

I will be splitting the donations equally between these two amazing charities.

I will keep everyone posted on my progress throughout the challenge and I thank you all in advance for your support.