Work colleagues from People First Credit Union can’t wait to complete their first Couch to 5K in Portlaoise tomorrow, after months of training.
In the process they will also be raising money and awareness for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA), a cause close to their heart.
Carol Murphy, marketing and business development executive with People First Credit Union, explains how it all came about.
“We were approached to sponsor the Streets of Portlaoise and the Couch to 5K, which People First Credit Union was happy to do as they are great community events. We decided to do it to raise funds for IMNDA as our financial controller Anne-Marie Keating recently lost her father to the disease,” she said.
“Eight of us who have never done any running before decided to do it,” Carol explained.
Those participating are:
Carol Murphy, Anne-Marie Keating, Michelle Langton, Emer Conroy, Emma Sinnott, Sandra Bergin, Noeleen Dempsey and Deirdre Walsh.
“Most evenings when we went out, it has always been raining! But we went training every week, apart from one, during the week of the snow, and have been training three nights a week,” Carol said.
“When we first went out and did a run for 3 minutes, we were wondering how are we ever going to run for 27 minutes but now we are really looking forward to it,” she said.
So far, almost €500 has been collected for IMNDA, with extra monies expected to be raised in the coming days. Collection buckets have been in place in the credit union offices in Portlaoise, Abbeyleix and Athy.
T-shirts
Gratitude was expressed to IMNDA for their support and also for supplying distinctive green t-shirts for the occasion tomorrow.
Carol said Anne-Marie and her family really appreciate everyone’s efforts on behalf of IMNDA and also to remember their loved one.
They have also been delighted with the reaction to their endeavours. “Every week people have been calling to the counter and talking about it. The support from our members has been great,” Carol said.
To support their cause log onto www.idonate.ie/peoplefirst
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