Liam MacCarthy Cup leaves Limerick for Evan Jones memorial event in Newport

THE LIAM MacCarthy Cup makes a rare foray outside Limerick and it couldn’t be for a better cause.

It will be in Newport this Bank Holiday Monday for the Evan Jones Memorial 5km Run and Walk which commences at noon. The son of Paddy and Marisa died from a rare form of cancer in February, 2017. Evan was just two years and three months old.  

From last year’s run they presented a cheque for €33,285 to St John’s Oncology Ward in Crumlin. The money from Monday’s event will be divided between the children’s hospital and Bumbleance.

“That was a service that Evan used a few times. Bumbleance brought him up and down to Crumlin when he was ill. It’s an amazing service.

“When you can't even think two minutes ahead of you, trying to concentrate and drive when your head is all over the place, they make that trip so much easier for people. You can just sit in the back and it’s comfortable for the kids, and there’s everything to keep them entertained. It’s an invaluable service,” said Paddy. A Bumbleance will be in Newport on Monday.

As well as raising money for two deserving charities, the run and walk will also celebrate the memory of Evan, who courageously smiled throughout his illness and treatment.

“We can continue his name and we are making a positive impact for people who are unfortunately going through it at the moment. We like doing it, it’s something positive out of a difficult situation. We're giving back in some way to kidswho are going through treatment now, giving to two charities that are really close to us.

“We got feedback last year from Crumlin about where the money was used. It was spent on research, which is great because that's an area we want to see it spent on. The cancer Evan had was so rare, there was no way to treat it, so research is very important to us. It was also spent on a play specialist for the kids, someone who spends time on the wards with kids going through treatment. We saw that first hand with Evan as well, that's an amazing service,” said Paddy.

Registration for the run and walk is at Newport Community Centre so get there well before the noon start time. Afterwards there is a Halloween fancy dress party, children’s entertainment, barbecue, raffle with fantastic prizes and a very special guest from County Limerick.

“We'll have the Liam MacCarthy Cup there from 1pm. It’s creating a great buzz and banter around Newport! We also have a signed jersey by the Limerick team which will be a collector’s item. We also have some of the Tipperary U21 All-Ireland champions coming on the day with the Cup so that kind of balances it out,” smiled Paddy. All are welcome to Newport on Bank Holiday Monday to support two great causes in memory of a very brave boy.