A Co. Wicklow couple are lacing up their running shoes for the Paris Marathon this April to raise vital funds for The Jack and Jill Children’s Oonagh and Oisín Curran will take on the 42.2km challenge in the French capital as a way of giving back to the charity that has been part of their family’s life since their son Jamie was a baby.
Jamie Curran (4) lives in Co. Wicklow with his parents and brothers Oscar (7) and Ben (1). When Jamie was born, he was severely anaemic and suffered a brain injury. As a result, he has complex needs and has since been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, global developmental delay and cerebral visual impairment.
Jamie has limited movement and is non-verbal, but his parents describe him as a very happy and social little boy who loves to have fun.
Concern around Jamie’s development led to an early referral to Enable Ireland, where a social worker suggested the family connect with The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. The family were introduced to Liaison Nurse Manager June Foxton, who visited their home and has been supporting them ever since.
According to Oonagh and Oisín, the support has been invaluable.
“The support from Jack and Jill means we can spend time with our other two sons who need our focus just as much as Jamie,” they said. “It is also great to have support in key stages of Jamie’s life, such as when he needs surgeries and hospital care”.
After four years of support, the couple decided they wanted to give something back. The couple choose an impressive challenge – to run the Paris Marathon.
With three young boys at home, marathon training has required plenty of early mornings and late nights to fit in the miles.
“We take a morning each at weekends for long runs, giving us both some time out and headspace,” explained Oonagh. “Our running takes us around the Wicklow Mountains and along the Blessington Greenway. We’re lucky to have such beautiful surroundings for training, but we’re hoping Paris might be a bit less hilly!”
For the Curran family, the marathon is about more than just crossing the finish line.
“We are so thankful to have people in our lives who love and care for Jamie. They really are like family,” they said. Jamie continues to thrive at home surrounded by his family.
“He has changed all our lives for the better and we couldn’t imagine life without him or indeed without Jack and Jill.”
Funds raised from the Paris Marathon will help The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation continue to provide vital in-home nursing care and respite support to families of children with severe learning disability and complex medical needs across Ireland including 20 families currently in Wicklow.
Anyone wishing to support the Curran’s fundraising can do so by donating via Support Paris Marathon for Jamie🧡 on iDonate.ie
There are lots of ways to support Jack and Jill by taking on a challenge of your own, from city marathons to mountain climbs, visit www.jackandjill.ie/how-you-can-help/ to find out how you can get involved.
