Kildare runners raise funds for Kidney Association at Dublin marathon
Aoibhinn Raleigh (27), from Leixlip, who created the successful running club Sole Mates this year, for beginners and slow runners (left) with Emma Conlon, a senior renal dietitian at Tallaght University Hospital, from Lucan Photo: Gareth Chaney
THREE inspiring Kildare women ran in last week’s Irish Life Dublin Marathon in support of the Irish Kidney Association.
Aoibhinn Raleigh, a social media influencer from Leixlip and organ donor card carrier tackled her first full marathon for the kidney charity to spread awareness about organ donation.
Aoibhinn created the running club ‘Sole Mate’ in May of this year for beginners and slow runners, which has become a huge success with weekend meet ups all around.
She has inspired a large community on her social media ‘Sole Mates Dublin’ to get active and build community, growing an incredibly large following in social media in a short space of time with more than 9,000 followers on Instagram and 50,000 on TikTok. Her large following on social media amplifies her message, making a significant impact on organ donor awareness.
“I wanted to use my platform to support the Irish Kidney Association, promote organ donor awareness and encourage others to consider organ donation,” Aoibhinn said.
Also joining this heartfelt marathon challenge were Kildare cousins Thea Ui Lionnain from Kilcock and Niamh Brennan from Maynooth who flew home from Edinburgh and Berlin for the marathon.
They were running in the Dublin Marathon in memory of their beloved late aunt, Mary Nolan from Clonmel, a kidney patient and diabetic who was 52 when she passed away. Niamh echoed her cousin Thea’s sentiments saying, “Our aunt Mary was deeply loved, and the Irish Kidney Association helped her and our family immensely. By running the marathon, we hope to raise awareness and funds so that other families can benefit from the same support.” This year’s marathon saw a remarkable gathering of individuals united by their experiences with organ failure, organ donation and transplantation, all stepping out on the course to raise awareness and funds for the Irish Kidney Association.
As they converged in Dublin city from various parts of Ireland and abroad, their collective effort embodied the spirit of solidarity, raising funds to help those affected by kidney disease and organ donor awareness.
