EIGHTEEN adults from St Kierans Primary in
Poleglass ran this year's Belfast Marathon in tribute to a pupil
at the school who died from a brain tumour last Christmas.
Teachers, staff and parents completed the run
in memory of Declan Doyle who died on Christmas Day 2006 at the
age of just 11.
Staff were keen to raise money in memory of
the popular lad and vice principal Brian McAlea, a keen marathon
runner, suggested entering the Belfast event. The team met every
week at the Ozone Leisure Centre and ran along the Lagan
Towpath.
Mr McAlea explained: "Everyone was so moved
by what happened to Declan and were keen to do something
positive to raise money in memory of Declan. I am a marathon
runner and so it was decided that they would do the Belfast
Marathon.
"It was great for staff morale and their
efforts were well rewarded."
Their aim was to complete the relay run in
under four hours which they just managed - clocking three hours
52 minutes.
Mr McAlea believes Declan's spirit remains
with them. He said he had been going through some old test
papers and one fell out, one which belonged to Declan.
Declan took ill in August 2006. His father
noticed he was off balance and walking to one side and a series
of tests discovered he had a brain tumour.
At the cheque presentation held at the school
recently Principal Mr. Leo Rice, paid tribute to everyone who
helped raise the money.
Declan's father Thomas and brother Adrian
presented the cheques to Ms. Fiona Collinson from the Royal
Victoria Hospital for Sick Children who accepted two cheques
totalling �1,500 on behalf of the Haematology Ward and the
Malcolm Sargent Fund who run a Respite Centre.
