Tyrone man takes on marathon challenge for muscular dystrophy

A TYRONE man will run the Belfast Marathon this Sunday (May 5) to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for the 110,000 people in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions.

This will be Kevin Darragh’s fourth marathon, but his first in Belfast, and he is doing it in support of his cousin’s son Luke, 13, who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy – a progressive muscle weakening condition.

The 40-year-old Dungannon man was originally registered to run the London Marathon last year, but due to his youngest son needing surgery for a brain tumour, he deferred his place and decided to opt for a marathon closer to home.

He said, “It’s always been a dream of mine to take part in the Belfast Marathon, and I’m delighted to be running it for Muscular Dystrophy UK as it’s a charity very close to my heart.”

Inspired

Kevin’s choice was inspired by his cousin Claire’s son, Luke, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in May 2012, aged 13 months.

Luke, who has just turned 13, is able to walk short distances but also uses an electric wheelchair and needs help with most areas of daily life, including dressing and getting in and out of a car.

“Luke is one of the happiest and most positive people I know,” Kevin said.

“I never see him without a smile on his face and he lives life to the fullest. He has a maturity well beyond his years and handles the physical decline he is seeing in his body with strength and determination. He currently has a real passion for vintage items and a growing collection of radios, gramophones, typewriters, record players, and cameras. At school, he is known for his love of tea and his funny and passionate personality.”

Luke’s mum, and Kevin’s cousin, Claire O’Hanlon, plays a key role at Muscular Dystrophy UK as a trustee as well as being chair of the charity’s Northern Ireland Council and a Peer Support Volunteer.

Dedication

Her dedication to raising awareness of Duchenne locally as well as engaging in campaigning is what inspired Kevin to run the Belfast Marathon for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

“Claire works tirelessly to ensure Luke has the best possible life,” he said.

“She’s also an advocate for access to treatments and new research into muscle wasting and weakening conditions, which is something that Muscular Dystrophy UK helps to fund. I’m so happy to be able to run to raise money for this very worthy charity which funds groundbreaking research as well as providing information, advice and support for individuals and families living with muscular dystrophy.”

The Belfast Marathon is sold out but there are spaces available for the Belfast City Half Marathon on Sunday, September 22. If you’ve been inspired by Kevin’s story and would like to take part in an event, find out more at musculardystrophyuk.org/get-involved/events.

Follow Kevin’s fundraising journey at www.justgiving.com/fundraising /kevrunslondonmduk.