She had set herself an initial target of €7,000 but inspirational sportswoman Sarah Houlihan ended up raising more than €20,000 for the benefit of pupils in the special needs classes at Cullina National School in Beaufort where she works.
The former Kerry footballer and three-time All-Star winner undertook to run a full marathon around Killarney for the cause and she received great support from staff, pupils, parents and so many others along the 42 kilometre route.
Pictures: Marie Carroll-O’Sullivan
Sarah set out and ended up at the school gate, taking in much of Killarney National Park along the way and all along the route small groups from the community gathered to will her well and to cheer her on.
Outside the Dunloe Hotel and Gardens Sarah met her first group of supporters, the amazing pupils from St Frances Special School in Beaufort and their teacher Aisling Bradley, as well as third class pupils from Cullina National School with their teacher Kate Fenton and SNA Lisa Fogarty-Murphy.
She also met old friends and colleagues from Cullina National School while former popular school secretary Agnes Curran, along with her family, greeted Sarah at the Fossa cross with balloons and cheers of support.
At Deenagh Lodge in Killarney National Park fifth and sixth class pupils were chanting Sarah’s name along with staff members, teacher Mark Healy and Bronagh Murphy and SNAs Emma Sheehan and Tomas Straka.
The stretch from town to Muckross Road was filled with the noise of beeping cars and cheers from the local people and at the gates of Muckross House and Gardens teachers Marie Murphy and Olivia Knightly, SNAs Siobhan O’Shea and Julie Reidy, and fourth class pupils awaited.
Sarah reached halfway point at near the turn-off for Dinis Cottage and on the return leg of her marathon journey the staff of Tigh Mary Donal’s, along with friends of Sarah were out to offer support.
The pupils and staff of Fossa National School lined both sides of the road for Sarah to show their support and although Sarah found the journey from Beaufort Bridge back to Cullina the most difficult, the siren of the Garda car in front reminded her of the tremendous support she had.
Turning the bend towards Cullina National School, Sarah said she could feel the lump form in her throat as waiting for her were the 12 pupils with teachers Lorraine Counihan, Niall Dennehy, Donal O’Sulllivan and SNAs Karen Lucey and Petrina Lyons.
To mark her remarkable achievement, the whole school sang two songs, This is Me from The Greatest Showman and teacher Marie Murphy and SNA Julie Reidy penned a song with their class dedicated to Sarah.
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