Rhode's Niall completes 100k charity run

After engaging the help of his own two feet and communities in Offaly and further afield Rhode man Niall Murphy has almost succeeded in raising a massive €100,000 for Irish Autism Action. The 39-year-old completed ten 10km laps of his home town last Sunday, April 1, in a unique fundraising effort entitled "100k for 100k". Though he was the only runner to complete the full 100k he was joined on the course throughout the day by approximately 1,200 other runners including some of Offaly's 1982 winning team, that year's Kerry captain, Boyzone star Keith Duffy and former Operation Transformation leader Adrian Brereton. Speaking to the Offaly Independent after the run Niall explained that he began running in 1997, soon after his father's death. In 2004 his son Ryan, then almost four, was diagnosed with autism. During that year and the next Niall ran marathons to help with the costs of establishing Saplings School in Mullingar, which Ryan now attends. Niall stopped running competitively in 2005, but taking part in Mullingar man Gerry Duffy's 32 marathon challenge in August 2010 gave him back "the buzz" for running again. Niall's ambitious plan to run 100km for charity finally happened last Sunday, one day before World Autism Day on April 2. He said this week he was delighted with the support he received from people all over the county and indeed the country, with people travelling from far and wide to support him on the day. "As I was going through the village each time the crowd was building and building," he explained. What was particularly special for him he said was the presence of his "heroes" from Offaly's team of 1982, along with Jack O'Shea from the opposing Kerry team. "I was ten in 1982 and I was in the Cusack Stand," Niall explained. "I'll never forget the moment Seamus put the ball at the back of the net. These guys were my heroes." Though Niall was supported generously by many local businesses, it was fitting that the event's main sponsor was Niall's brother and Ryan's godfather Declan Murphy. With no rest for Niall, last Tuesday night he helped Adrian Brereton launch a 10k run that will take place on May 27 to support the development of GAA games in Offaly. Niall's fundraising tally so far is €60,000, and he reckons the full €100,000 will have come in by the end of next week. Anyone interested in donating to the cause between now and then however can look for Niall Murphy on www.sponsor.ie or send a donation directly to Irish Autism Action, 100k for 100k, 41 Newlands, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.