“December 3, 2016 is a day that will be forever etched in our hearts,” explains a heartbroken Laurena Meagher, who is grieving for her husband Kevin Fogarty.
“What was meant to be a fun-filled family break ended in devastation, as our whole world was turned upside down with the sudden death of Kevin,” she adds. “My fabulous loving husband of just four weeks and the most adoring proud daddy, was our everything. We have lost such a big heart from our lovely family and we miss him so, so much.”
Now, Kevin’s four friends are running 125km from Tipperary to Kildare this Saturday, June 3, to honour the memory of their late friend. Mr Fogarty, a native of Templetuohy in Tipperary, who had made Clane his adopted home, died suddenly while on a family holiday in the UK last December. Just a month before his untimely death, Kevin had married his long-term partner, Laurena Meagher. The couple had been together since they were teenagers, and have two children, eight-year-old Callum and five-year-old Layla-Jane.
Kevin’s friends Garry, Seán, Mike, and Stephen will complete the Kevin Fogarty Home2Home Fundraising Run in support of the family. The event begins with a 5km family fun-run in Templetuohy, Tipperary at 8am on 3rd June, and from there the four friends will begin their relay, each completing a leg of the journey.
Laurena told HerFamily that she has experienced an overwhelming level of support since her husband’s passing:
“Kevin was everyone’s friend – so witty, so clever, so talented – a real all-rounder. He was so well liked and this is clearly evident in the overwhelming support we have received in the last six months. We will never forget the incredible lengths people have gone to for us.
The two communities of Templetuohy and Clane have joined forces and organised a huge event for us. The Home2Home Run sees some of our nearest and dearest run a total of 125k from Templetuohy to Clane, this Saturday. We are so, so grateful to these four amazing friends: Garry, Mick, Seán, and Steve for doing this for us and to the organising committees of both communities who have worked tirelessly to make this possible.
It is an incredible testament to the most amazing person. I wish it could be different but I am ever grateful to each and every person who has supported this and us in any way since December. The empathy and compassion shown to us has been incredible.”
Garry Cribbin, a jockey’s agent and accomplished marathon runner, will complete leg one from Templetouhy to Borris-in-Ossary, a total of 37km. Seán O’Dea, a primary school teacher, will be running leg two, from Borris-in-Ossary to Portlaoise, a total of 27km. Mike Walsh will run from Portlaoise to Kildare town, a total of 28km, and finally Stephen Lyons will complete leg four of run from Kildare Town to the village of Carragh, a total of 18km.
The four friends will then run the final leg together from Carragh to Clane – a distance of 12km – and they will be joined by Kevin’s family, friends and neighbours to run the last 5km together from Scoil Phádraig to Clane Football Club. Laurena told us that her young children are her inspiration in difficult times:
“Our lives have taken on a new normal and we will never be the same again. The road ahead is long and I am so blessed to have a part of Kevin in our two amazing children Callum and Layla-Jane.
They continue to amaze and inspire me every day and I know Kevin is so proud, as he always was. We, as a family, are lucky to be surrounded by two wonderful communities.
We want to thank everyone involved in the Home2Home event and we appreciate everything you have done for us.”
Also taking place during the day in Templetuohy, will be the Kevin Fogarty World Cup Poles Tournament – a childhood game of Kevin and his friends, the object of which is to hit a pole (goal) at the opposing end of the pitch. A bus will then bring family and friends to the fundraising event in Clane that evening, where a presentation will be made to the winners of the ‘World Cup’.
Eilish Meagher, Kevin’s sister-in-law, says that the dad-of-two was heavily involved in sports in both of his local communities:
“We are so grateful to Garry, Sean, Mike and Stephen for their involvement in this fundraising run, and to everyone who has been supporting Kevin’s family – my sister Laurena and their children – since he passed away.
Kevin was hugely popular and involved in lots of local sports activities in both his home village of Templetuohy and his adopted home of Clane. It is a real testament to his popularity that so many people are turning out to support this fundraising drive and commemorate his life.”
Following the run, there will be a special fundraising event in Clane GAA Club, with a barbecue, live music from Johnny Peters and Keltic Swing and a DJ to play until late, as well as a raffle and auction, with prizes including hotel breaks, restaurant vouchers and sports memorabilia.
Tickets for the fundraising event are available now for €25, and can be purchased from Clane GAA Club, by contacting a member of the organising committee, or from the Templemore Arms and the Temple Bar in Templetuohy. Donations can also be made via the campaign’s GoFundMe page.
All money raised will go directly to support Kevin’s family.
