Carrick man Gary Russell is set to raise vital funds for the Solas Cancer Support Centre as he runs 16 miles a day for the next five days.
Starting bright and early on Monday morning, Gary will complete the feat from Monday through to Friday, clocking up 80 miles before the weekend.
Speaking to WLR, Gary said: "Since this year is the 16th staging of the Solas Run and Walk for Life - I'll be running 16 miles a day for 5 days in September while raising money for the great work that's done and services that are offered by Solas to those that have been affected by cancer."
Gary has already raised €1,750 for the local Solas Centre before even embarking upon the challenge. No stranger to charitable initiatives, Gary is determined to play his part in helping to keep vital services going across the South-East region.
"I've five months training done, covered just over 686 miles in total running since April. I've all the hard work done so now it's just a case of waiting and I'm not blessed with patience - if I could get it started now I would but I'm looking forward to Monday now, it's a great cause that I'm able to fundraise for so roll on Monday morning."
Gary will don various jerseys across the five days and has expressed his gratitude for all the support ahead of his challenge.
The Solas Cancer Support Centre’s Run and Walk for Life returns to the streets of Waterford City on Sunday 13th October and Dungarvan’s Greenway on Saturday 12th October.
The 10K Run and Walk in Dungarvan starts at 10am on Saturday 12th October at Walton Park. The 10k Run and Walk on Sunday 13th October starts at 10.00am on the Quay in Waterford City. A new 4K family walk has been added to both Waterford and Dungarvan to encourage families to take part in tandem with the 10K routes. The popular virtual option is also available and workplaces are being encouraged to once again #GoOrangeForSolas.
Tracy McDaid, Manager of the Solas Cancer Support Centre, explains what this annual event means to the charity:
“The Run and Walk for Life is the most action-packed and exciting weekend of the year for the Solas Cancer Support Centre. The Run and Walk for Life is our main fundraiser annually and funds are needed now more than ever. This year, we’ve seen a 25% increase in demand for our services. Some of those services include complementary therapy, counselling, life coaching acupuncture, wellness class, support group and information sessions.”
Photo - Left to right: Tracy McDaid, Manager, Solas Cancer Support Centre, Kyle Butler, Jordan Norris, Ollie Carroll, WLR FM, Dymphna Nugent, WLR FM, Gwen Daniels, General Manager, UPMC Whitfield Hospital and Gemma Delaney, WLR FM.
Over 8,700 one-to-one support sessions were delivered by Solas Cancer Support Centre in 2023. Last year, the Run and Walk for Life event raised €190,000. These funds went towards supporting the running costs of the service which cost over €1 Million to operate in 2023, the first year that costs have reached this milestone.
To donate to Gary's fundraiser, you can click the link here.
To sign up for this year's Solas Run and Walk For Life - registration is open online at www.solascentre.ie.
The registration fee is €25 per adult and €15 per child.
WLR are proud media partners of this year's Run and Walk For Life.
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