Hundreds turn out to cheer on FTD Brothers in Mullingar leg of their 32-marathon challenge
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The lads arriving in the park; they stayed in the Annebrook last night.Image 2 of 10
Members of Westmeath Civil Defence with one of the FTD Brothers support crew, from left, Patrick Flynn, Martin Moffatt, Tim Savage, Eamonn McLoughlin, John Kelly and PJ Fitzpatrick.Image 3 of 10
Staff and students from Mullingar Community College.Image 4 of 10
Lined up on the patch towards Millmount Road.Image 5 of 10
Staff and pupils from Presentation Senior School.Image 6 of 10
Young supporters from Scribbles and Giggles.Image 7 of 10
From Westmeath Sports Partnership, Cian Fogarty, Mary Kate Duignan, Tony Wheat and Martin Nevin.Image 8 of 10
Pupils and staff from St Colman's NS.Image 9 of 10
Students and staff from St Finian's College.Image 10 of 10
Students and staff from Loreto College.The hundreds of students from local schools created the brilliant atmosphere in Mullingar Town Park this morning for the start of the FTD Brothers’ 17th marathon in their fundraising and awareness campaign.
The brothers, Jordan and Cian Adams are running 32 marathons, one in each county in Ireland, aiming to raise funds and awareness of dementia and its impact on families and communities.
They have been diagnosed with ‘Early-Onset’ Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Their Irish mother died of FTD at the age of 52 after living with it for six years and now, facing the same diagnosis, the brothers are undertaking this challenge in memory of 12 relatives who lived in Ireland, who all died from FTD, the same disease that will, one day, claim Jordan and Cian’s lives.
There was huge response to the call-out for support for the brothers on the Westmeath leg of their challenge, and a great buzz in the town park as everyone awaited their arrival.
Understandably tired from having run marathons on each of the last 16 days across Ireland (plus the London Marathon the day before they started in Antrim), the lads were a bit late coming across from their overnight stay in the Annebrook House Hotel.
When they arrived they stopped for autographs and selfies with whoever wanted them, and Jordan addressed the crowd to explain the background to their charity work.
He thanked all the schools for turning out, those who had taken time out from work, and those in their running gear who would accompany the brothers on at least part of their 42km on the country roads around Mullingar.
They eventually got going at 10.55am, after being generous with their time before the eventual start.
They are expected back in Mullingar Town Park at around 3.30pm.
The Mullingar Marathon route is here.
For further information on the campaign or to make a donation, please visit the donation page.
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