Limerick runners take on Berlin Marathon to raise funds for baby with health complications

THREE running mates from Limerick are taking on a “significant challenge” to raise funds for a baby with rare and complex health conditions. 

Sharon Hayes from Galbally, Ben Murphy of Kilfinane and Annie Dawson of Elton are aiming to take on The Berlin Marathon this September, for a cause close to Sharon’s heart.  

“My cousin Paul Bourke and his wife Ashley Ryan have a beautiful baby daughter Lucia, and we are running to raise funds for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, who provides in-home nursing care for Lucia,” Sharon said.

Lucia was born last October with a rare chromosomal abnormality called 22Q11 syndrome, which brings physical and developmental problems. She also has Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia, which means she has a complex congenital heart defect. 

“Lucia requires 24-hour care and thankfully is doing really well at home. The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation has played a huge part in supporting Paul and Ashley in caring for Lucia, organising nurses to give at home support as they care for Lucia and her complex needs.”

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Lucia is scheduled for heart surgery in the next few months. In advance of the upcoming surgery, the family have been limiting their contact with others to minimise any exposure to viruses, so all of Lucia’s care regime is managed by either parent or a Jack and Jill nurse.  

In fact, Sharon has only met baby Lucia once in her first year despite living only two miles from the Kilross-based family. 

“If it wasn’t for Jack and Jill nurses taking care of Lucia, Paul and Ashley would be really isolated,” Sharon explains.  

“Only by having a Jack and Jill nurse to look after Lucia meant that both Paul and Ashley were able to attend two very important funerals this year, as sadly both Ashley’s grandmother and Paul’s father both passed away earlier this year.”

Jack and Jill currently supports 23 families in Limerick. Since 1997, they have provided in-home nursing care and respite support to 233 families across Limerick and Tipperary. 

Alie Sheridan, head of fundraising at Jack and Jill said: “We are always blown away when people take on significant challenges like marathons to support families just like the Bourkes.    

“By taking on this challenge and committing to a tough training schedule Sharon and her friends are not only celebrating beautiful Lucia they are also helping raise vital funds and awareness of the service we provide to over 400 families in Ireland.”

Sharon, Annie and Ben are looking forward to taking on the challenge of The Berlin Marathon and are urging people to help support their fundraising drive.