Galway man takes on challenge of a lifetime from Dublin to Delhi

A Galway man is taking on the charity challenge of a lifetime – running 13 half marathons in 13 countries in 13 weeks.

Fergal O’Flaherty – son of the late pharmacist Matt O’Flaherty – set off from Dublin in a jeep called ‘iVan’ yesterday (Sunday) destined for New Delhi in India in an effort to raise €100,000.

The ‘Dublin2Delhi’ 13 half marathons will be run en route to India to raise money for two charities; On the Road Again in Ireland and Child Nutrition Foundation in India.

The challenge will see him travel through the UK, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, People’s Republic of China, Tibet, Nepal and finally India.

This event is the brainchild of Fergal, who is now living in Dublin. It was a dream of his late father’s to undertake a road trip, but he passed away just one month before they were to set off.

“Our Dad and Mum had ten kids. They dedicated their lives to raising us and getting us a good education. Back in 2010, as Dad reached his eighties, he and I planned a road trip together.

“He wanted to go to the Isle of Man to drive the TT motorbike circuit. It was a dream of his since the motor-biking days of his youth. We were to go on the 8th of August. On Tuesday, July 13, Dad got a heart attack in Galway Shopping Centre and died later that day.

“Our Dad’s sudden death affected us all. It was a terrible shock for our family, and his passing a great loss. We have all done our best to come to terms with it in our own individual ways.

“Mine was to take up running. I had never ever run before in my life. I got off the couch, and started by running down my local road for a minute at a time.

“My sisters Maeve and Deirdre encouraged me into some good running routines. I ran a 10k race for the RNLI Lifeboats and found it very rewarding. After that I ran a few 5k and 10k races and was pleasantly surprised by my progress.

“My sister encouraged me to join her at our neighbourhood running club, Brothers Pearse AC (in Dublin). Running with others makes it so much easier, so it wasn’t long before I was training for my first half marathon. I was more able to cope with things after running. Running really enabled me to handle Dad’s passing better. Running got me through.

“I was driving Dad’s old car a lot after he died (a 1996 Toyota Corolla). It was so reliable and trustworthy. It started every day, rain or shine, frost or snow. Driving it reminded me a lot of Dad.

“Sometimes that made me blue, sometimes happy. I started thinking about the road trip again and thought, why not? Why not do it anyway? Why not do it in his honour? With the help of many others I have planned, fine-tuned and added to the original plan, and added to it in a way that I hope will make Dad laugh and smile,” said Fergal.

He explained that the concept is to continue the good work his father did and continue to help those who need it – supporting those who assist wellbeing and personal development, wellbeing of children and mental health.

“Dad was always helping others during his life here. He volunteered with the St Vincent De Paul for over 30 years. He knew the more disadvantaged areas of Galway and Connemara better than most. This trip will recognise his willingness to help others carry on,” he said.

Fergal aims to raise €100,000 for the two nominated charities – 100% of funds raised will be donated, and the cost of getting to India has been privately funded.

On the Road Again is an Irish charity which designs Personal Development Programmes to improve physical wellbeing and mental health.

The Child Nutrition Foundation is based in India, where 6,000 children die every day from malnutrition. The CNF aims to reduce this rate in vulnerable communities.

To donate, visit dublin2delhi.com