Published: Wednesday, 14th July, 2010 5:00pm

Ballymore man's desert run raises €18k for charity

The Ballymore man who recently completed the toughest foot race on the planet - the Marathon des Sables across the Sahara desert - raised almost double his target for the children's charity, Barnardos.

Bobby McDermott was one of just a few Irish runners to take part this year in the week-long gruelling 155 mile pursuit across the rocky terrain of the Sahara.

Bobby's target was to raise €10,000 for the children's charity - but he surpassed that total and then some, managing to date to collect a massive €18,000 for Barnardos.

As well as huge donations from friends and colleagues, Bobby also held a benefit night in aid of Barnardos before the race in the Auld Shebeen, Moate where he raised a total of €1,200.

Speaking about the generosity of his friends, family and co-workers Bobby said: "the most amazing thing to have come out of this challenge was to see the kind generosity shown by all who donated to Barnardos. I am honestly prouder to be able to say I have helped raise €18,000 to aid Barnardos and the under-privileged children in Ireland, than I am to say I have completed the Marathon des Sables.

"I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all those who donated to my Barnardos fund and also for all the kind words received before, during and after the event.....it really was a huge boost to my spirits after a mentally and physically tough day running across the desert."

During the seven day slog, Bobby made his painful pursuit through soaring mid-day temperatures and freezing night-time cold and stressed that the support his friends and family showed was what got him through when things got tough: "I was given a print out of all the emails sent during the day. Those words of encouragement really kept me going when I wasn't sure if I could. I owe a huge thank you to all who took time out to email me."

Barnardos Fundraising Manager Orla Tighe said, "It's truly inspiring to hear of Bobby McDermott's amazing feat. He is a true Barnardos hero and we are so grateful that he chose Barnardos as his charity of choice. Every cent raised will go directly to fund the work we do with children and families out of our 40 projects all over Ireland."