The family of a terminally ill man have raised thousands of pounds for charity by running marathons across Ireland.
Michael O'Neill, 45, presented a cheque worth more than £6,000 to the Friends of the Cancer Centre last week following the fundraising efforts of his family who ran virtual marathons in Belfast, Newry and Wexford.
Michael was diagnosed with head and neck cancer last September and sadly discovered recently that it is terminal.
His brother Dominic, who was one team taking part in the 'O'Neillathon' for their brother and uncle, said that they were raising the money for the charity so that it can continue the good work that it does in support cancer patients and their families during treatment.
They had originally planned on running the Belfast Marathon, but this was cancelled due to Covid-19.
Dominic said: "We were initially going to run a relay in the Belfast Marathon as two teams, but as this was cancelled due to Covid-19 and lockdown we decided that we would still do it in the areas that we live.
"There was one group of us in Belfast, one in Newry and another in Wexford, all brothers and nephews of Michael.
"We felt that it was important to do something to support our uncle and brother and the response that we received from the wider community has been incredible, raising more than £6,000.
"Sadly Michael has been told recently that his cancer is terminal and focusing on this fundraiser has given us all something positive to focus on.
"We would just like to say thank you to everyone that has support us and Michael, especially Pearses GAC in North Belfast, who Michael is the chair person of."
Michael said: "I was overjoyed to be part of such a fundraising effort, for all the families that it will benefit.”
In the end the O'Neill family raised an amazing £6394.10, with Michael presenting a cheque to the Friends of the Cancer Centre last week.
Ana Wilkinson of Friends of the Cancer Centre, said: "On behalf of everyone at Friends of the Cancer Centre and the hundreds of families you have helped us support, thank you from the bottom of our hearts, for inspiring others to make a difference and for raising so much awareness."
