Marathon women to raise funds for new ADD centre

THE Mid-West Support Group for people with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) plan to raise much needed funds from the Irish Examiner Limerick Women’s Mini-Marathon.

The funds will be used for a new support centre that has just opened in the city.

More than 3,000 women are expected to take part in the marathon, which takes place on October 9. The five-mile run will begin and end at the University of Limerick campus.

One of the organisers, Paddy O’Connell of Limerick Athletics Club, said entries are well ahead of target.

He said: “It has grown year after year and it is the biggest event of its kind next to the marathons in Dublin and Cork.”

The ADD support group will have about 20 members taking part, including Alice Cushnahan, wife of former Munster MEP John Cushnahan.

Ms Cushnahan said they need funds to pay the running costs of the new office at the Limerick Enterprise Centre on the old Krups site on Childers Road.

Alice said 16 children with ADD in Limerick have attended the special class opened for them in a city school, but parents still find it difficult to secure second-level places for children with ADD.

It is estimated that between 3-5% of the population have ADD, either in mild, moderate or severe form.

Ms Cushnahan said the group meet at the Limerick Social Services Centre on the first Thursday of every month at 8pm.

She added that they were looking forward to the mini-marathon.

* The Mid-West ADD Support Group helpline can be contacted at 061-357085.