Fitness Fans Boost Children's Hospital Ward

Fitness fans at SuperFastFitness camps have been taking part in Ireland's toughest 10k challenge and have raised record sum to help the Children's Medical & Research Foundation and St. Peter's Ward.

John O'Connell, Director of SuperFastFitness Camps, will be presenting a check for €3,683 this week, of which €1,045 will go to the Children’s Medical & Research Foundation and €2,638 will go to St Peter’s Ward.

John and a group of his camp members took part in Hell & Back, regarded as Ireland’s toughest 10k challenge.

The challenge, which took place in Wicklow’s Kilruddery Estate, consisted of a 10 kilometre course up the small Sugar Loaf mountain, packed with obstacles and challenges.

John personally visited Crumlin Children’s Hospital in October and says he was touched by the huge sacrifices the parents make.

"I met a mum who hadn’t brought their newborn home for ten months, so they had to spend a lot of time at the ward.

"Another mother had to move away from her husband and children for six weeks as their daughter needed to have a major operation in London," he said.

He was shocked at the poor facilities for the parents who have to stay there for long periods of time.

He was told by staff that the hospital gets funding for equipment, but not for toys, or to make the place comfortable and friendly.

The ward he visited had even been painted by the staff.

Part of the money raised will be used to buy chair beds for the parents to sleep on so they can be near their babies, as at the moment parents don’t have anywhere to sleep on, except for chairs.

This is not the first time SuperFastFitness Camps raises money for a good cause. The Camps have held a series of seminars and open day fitness sessions this year to raise funds to help charities such as The Irish Heart Foundation.

(BMcC)