Run for Mark in the Dark: Galway Details
A 2 mile fun run in aid of Mark Pollock’s Trust that takes place from NUIG on Wednesday 16th November, 2011 at 7.30pm. Please read below for some history on Mark’s life to date. Registration will be taken in the Amphibian King store in Ornamore or alternatively it can be done online (www.run4mark.com).
Mark Pollock is a truly inspiring individual. Having lost his sight at the age of 22, Mark has never let that hold him back, competing in the world’s harshest environments across desert, mountain, ocean and polar regions including 6 marathons in 7 days in the Gobi Desert, a race to the South Pole, and the Round Ireland yacht race – despite being completely blind. He made his living as a motivational speaker around the globe and inspired many people to think about how to face challenges and make decisions.
Having overcome his blindness, tragedy struck again on the 2nd July 2010 when Mark fell from a second story window and suffered a catastrophic spinal injury which has left Mark paralysed from the waist down. The following clip is of an interview with Mark conducted by the BBC six months after Mark’s accident. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12314687
The past year has been incredibly difficult for Mark and while he has dealt with every emotion, he is determined not to rest on his laurels. You can check out Mark’s blog at www.markpollock.com/blog/blog.asp He has done a lot of research to find out what he could do and was in hospital for 15 months. He has just been released and is now following a programme of aggressive physical therapy in an attempt to regain any feeling or movement that he can.
The Mark Pollock Trust was set up by Mark’s friends and supporters in order to raise funds for this rehabilitation programme, which will involve a daily aggressive physical therapy programme of up to 3 hours per session, input from physical trainers and physiotherapists and repeat visits to a spinal injuries recovery facility in America called, Project Walk. ‘Run for Mark in the Dark’ is the Trust’s first official event, although many friends, old and new, have been hosting running and cycling races, events in their homes and donating directly to the Trust, allowing Mark start to rebuild his life and to start training.
The four fundraising runs will take place in Belfast, Cork, Dublin and Galway simultaneously and distances vary depending on the location. Each location has a walking option, so everyone can participate. The cost of the event is €25 per person for this very wothwhile cause. Log onto www.run4mark.com to enter.