The week-long 350-kilometre multi-region wheelchair push in support of a Wexford man who was diagnosed with a life-altering disease in October 2019, finally arrived into his adopted Kerry on Friday evening last, April 26th.
The cavalcade was led by local Gardai into Castleisland accompanying the Push for Paul crew and support vehicles. The colourful parade was met by local supporters and runners from An Riocht Athletic Club joined the ‘the push’ in its final stages.
Upon arrival, there was a particularly warm welcome from current and former Castleisland, Killarney and Killorglin rugby players and all participated in a friendly game of tag rugby.
Food and refreshments were provided by Annie and Billy O’Sullivan from Ballymacelligott and very special thanks go to them and to everyone at Castleisland Rugby Club on the evening.
Sponsors Rally Around
The stage was sponsored by Cara and Killarney Credit Unions and Tom McCarthy’s Central Bar was a local vehicle sponsor.
Following an enjoyable evening in Castleisland, the Push for Paul departed the rugby club on Saturday morning and did a lap of honour of Castleisland town before heading in the direction of Killarney via Currow. The locals we encountered along the way were very welcoming and generous.
On arrival in Killarney, the team proceeded through Killarney town centre where another warm welcome awaited. The greatest cheers were reserved for the grand finale arrival at Killarney Racecourse where there were congratulations aplenty.
Linda’s Touching Speech
In a touching speech Paul’s wife Linda paid tribute to all involved in the organising committee, her friends and neighbours and all who supported along the way.
John Heavey of the Push for Paul organising committee expressed gratitude to his colleagues in An Garda Síochána for the support as well as everyone from the main sponsors Envirogreen to the start sponsors Pet Bliss and finish sponsors SureTank.
A great evening of entertainment and fun was had by all in Killarney Racecourse to celebrate the grand finale campaign.
Ollie Favier and his team really outdid themselves in looking after everyone in attendance with great food and a fantastic atmosphere.
Paul’s Background Story
Wexford native and Killarney resident Paul Murphy is living with Mitochondrial Myopathy (MM) a condition similar to Motor Neurone Disease. This devastating diagnosis has left Paul wheelchair-bound, while also impairing his motor skills. Married to Linda, with whom he has two children, Harry (14) and Sadie (9), the strength of character Paul has demonstrated in recent years has come as no surprise to those who know and love him best.
Rallying to the Murphy family’s cause, ‘A Push for Paul’ saw a group of Paul’s friends, inclusing Castleisland man, John Brosnan pushing a wheelchair from Drogheda, from Sunday, April 21st all the way to Killarney Racecourse on Saturday, April 27th.
A Farming Background
A graduate of Mountbellew Agricultural College in County Galway and hailing from a farming background in Wexford, Paul has maintained contact with several of his classmates over the years.
Those decades-old links have wonderfully manifested themselves through a 2022 project which made Paul’s home more accessible due to the reality of living with MM, along with April’s cross-county walk, which also aimed to raise awareness of the Irish Wheelchair Association’s outstanding work.
Event co-organiser John Heavey, a friend of Paul’s who lives in County Louth, explained the motivation behind the Push for Paul campaign.
“It all came about following a conversation with Paul and Linda,” he said. “Paul said he didn’t know how difficult it was for a person in a wheelchair until he had to use one himself – and it wasn’t something I’d devoted too much thought to prior to Paul’s diagnosis – and that sparked something. Accessibility issues that wheelchair users encounter daily need to be highlighted as frequently as possible to help increase wider awareness of the issue.
Huge and Difficult Change
“My world has gone very small,” said Paul. “For someone who travelled far and wide, to Australia and so on, it has been a huge and difficult change for me. Linda has been absolutely brilliant. She’s made sure that we’ve kept going to Harry’s and Sadie’s matches together, which means a lot to me and to us as a family.
“Just because I’m in a wheelchair doesn’t mean I can’t be a parent. But I’m keeping myself going, I’m keeping myself busy and that’s very important. I have to do something.”
Such Amazing Support
“Back in my days studying Agribusiness at Mountbellew and playing rugby with GMIT, I could never have thought that all these years later, so many of the people I met then would still be there for me now, offering me and my family such amazing support.”
Paul concluded: “On behalf of myself, Linda, Harry and Sadie, I want to sincerely thank everybody who has been involved in the campaign. The kindness that so many people have offered means so much.”
Donations Link Remains Open
Due to the phenomenal response from members of the public the iDonate link will remain open until mid-May to facilitate further donations. Please Click on the Link here: www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/apushforpaul
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