Family doctor’s marathon effort raises €65,000

A WATERFORD-based family doctor has raised €65,000 for two worthy causes following his completion of the New York City Marathon.

Dr Mark Rowe was one of 39,805 runners to start the 26.24-mile marathon last November, and has totted up the total he raised for charity.

Based at the Rowe-Creavin surgery in Waterford’s Pairc Clinic, he and his supporters raised €50,000 for the South Eastern Cancer Foundation and €15,000 for Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin. The foundation is embarking on a fundraising drive to facilitate plans to create a counselling and support facility for cancer patients and their families in Waterford.

Dr Rowe thanked his colleagues, patients, friends and the wider community in Waterford for their support.

“It’s been overwhelming to see the sort of generosity people have shown during the fundraising. This reflects the very worthwhile causes involved. The support from the various donors also helped me in preparing for and participating in the marathon,” he said.

Dr Rowe completed the marathon in 4hr 41min. “Apart from the great setting, one of the things that really helps make the New York City Marathon special is the very vocal support that all runners get from the crowds along the route. Any time I felt like wavering, there was always someone else to shout an encouraging ‘you can do it’ from the pavement.”

Highlights included crossing the five bridges on the route and reaching the finish line. “But the real thrill was in helping to raise so much vitally needed money for great causes with an obvious link to my own work as a GP. I can’t thank the sponsors enough for digging so deep.”

After his experience of the New York marathon two months ago, he is encouraging anyone who can to give “serious consideration” to undertaking a marathon or equivalent fundraising drive of their own, in this country or overseas.