Meet the Wexford father undertaking a marathon fundraiser inspired by his daughter's 21st birthday
Jennie was born with Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) and is the inspiration behind Andrew undertaking three marathon challenges with the goal of raising €210,000 for Wexford Special Olympics Club and Windmill Therapeutic.
"When Jennie was born, myself and my wife wouldn't have known much about Trisomy 21,' Andrew concedes. 'She had major heart surgery when she was just four months old and we didn't get her home from the hospital until she was eight months.
"She has thrived since then though and she's still very healthy. She still sees a heart specialist for a check up every couple of years, but she's very active and she's been involved with Wexford Special Olympics club since she was 9, taking part in all kinds of competitions.'
Clearly very proud of his girl, she has inspired Andrew to attempt three massive challenges in the coming months.
This Saturday, on June 21, he will complete a 21 hour challenge at Rosslare Strand – swimming 2.1 miles, cycling 210 miles and running 21 miles. On September 21, he will attempt to complete Ironman Wales. The race is in the top 10 hardest Ironman races in the world with over 8,700ft of elevation during a 3.8km swim, 180km bike race and 42km run.
Finally on October 26, he will attempt to complete the Dublin City Marathon in 3 hours and 47 minutes – the three representing the 3rd copy of chromosome 21 a child with Down syndrome is born with and the 47 representing the number of chromosomes in the body of a person with Downy syndrome.
Currently racking up 20 hours a week, Andrew never loses sight of why he's doing it as Jennie is at his side all the way.
"She's super excited,' the Tagoat father says. 'She'll come out with me on the bike sometimes when I'm out for a run and she helps me with the updates on Facebook and that type of thing. She can't wait for June 21st for things to get started.'
While Andrew is working up a sweat, a day of family fun will take place in Rosslare Strand with a marquee set up on the green. People are invited to come out and cheer him on, enjoy a barbecue, buy a raffle ticket, enjoy the kids entertainment and maybe even join him for a mile or two of a run.
"I would've done a good few big races before Covid, but not much since,' Andrew says with excitement setting in.
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"I came up with this idea about two years ago. Jennie's 21st was approaching and I wanted to do something big.'
"I started training for this back in January and I'm 21 or 22 weeks in now. My attitude is to focus on the first challenge first and then build up slowly but surely. I did a little trial run of 16 hours last week, starting off in the sea at 3.30 a.m. It gave me a good idea of what it will be like.'
With a significant target of €210,000, Andrew is hoping that people will really row in behind him and help him make a lasting difference to Wexford Special Olympics Club and Windmill Therapeutic, who provide day supports for adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.
"Jennie loves the community aspect of the Special Olympics Club,' Andrew explains. 'Just to be able to get involved, it means the world to her. It's a fantastic club and really opens doors for kids like Jennie and creates a sense of community and belonging for them. She has some great friends through the club.
"As for Windmill, that's where she'll spend the next twenty, thirty, forty years of her life. They provide an amazing services and teach their clients life skills like how to budget and mind their money, how to get jobs and basically how to fend for themselves and enjoy some independence.
"I know they are struggling for money. They are planning a huge renovation to create sensory rooms etc down there and they're trying to raise €300,000. I'm hoping that I'll be able to help them out with that.
Andrew's fundraiser has already raised nearly €20,000 online alone and he's hopeful that people will turn out and join in the fun at Rosslare Strand on Saturday.
To support Andrew and Jennie's fundraiser efforts, you can search for 3 for 21 – Trisomy 21 Fundraiser Challenge on iDonate. All donations are greatly appreciated.
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