Mullingar man taking part in The May 50k
Billy Gilleran, a Mullingar man, is participating in the May 50k to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland.
MS Ireland is running The May 50k in collaboration with the MS International Federation, to assist others in fundraising for the organisation.
Participants are encouraged to walk, run or roll 50 kilometres during May, while fundraising for research into MS, helping to support people with the condition in Ireland.
Billy has been fundraising throughout the month of May and has already exceeded 50k, making it to 98k so far.
Speaking on what drove him to take part, Billy said: “MS has been a big part of my life since I was diagnosed, it came on originally in 2007, but I was formally diagnosed in 2013, so I suppose this is my way of giving something back.”
So far Billy has raised more than €11,000, drawing support from all over the country.
Billy said: “It has just been crazy, I've got donations from everywhere, I really didn't think that kind of support was out there, and its been incredible.
“I think it just seems to have struck a nerve with a lot of people, disability is not spoken about enough, so if I can bring more awareness to it by doing this, then all is well and good. “
Discussing the routes he took on his journey, Billy said: “I've been doing about 5km every day, it's handy because we are so lucky to have a great canal here in Mullingar, and sometimes wheeling around the town is not easy, so I tend to stick to the canal.
“The town has been brilliant, I've been trying to go out to different places around the town and meet people who have played a big part in my life, and hopefully while doing this I can continue raising awareness and the people of the town have been great in helping me do that so far.”