News

2006 In Memory of: Tommy Ryan

Updated: 06/05/2007 Goal Update: $1817.66 Sent as I donated a few bob for Christmas. Goal Update: $1787.66 actually raised. Looks like this may be the total raised for this year. As a few people who pledged never delivered. But guess that is the way fund raiding works. So thanks to all who helped and those you supported (in any shape or form). Some links of interest: Michael J. Fox and the The Michael J. Fox Foundation http://www.parkinsons.ie/ Goal Update: $1787.66 actually raised (+ still collecting). Publicity so far: Waterford news and Star. and TV3 Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Contributors: in order of appearance (growing): Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Marco & Casey - UK Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - New Zealand Liam - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland David - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland Palm - Ireland Janet - Ireland Vincent - UK Theresa - Ireland Alan - Ireland Joan - Ireland Marie - Ireland Myrtle + George - Ireland Melissa - Ireland Michael - Ireland Jacinta - Ireland Tom - Ireland John - Ireland Tommy- Ireland Bernie - Ireland Annette - Ireland Pat - Ireland The Connolly Family - Ireland (Eamonn, Frances, Mary, Ned, Catherine, Brendan & Margaret) Brian - Ireland Deirdre + Mark - Cork - Ireland Sinead - Dublin - Ireland Paul - Dublin - Ireland Lucy - Dublin - Ireland Aoife + Jack - Dublin - Ireland Cynthia - Dublin - Ireland Regina - Dublin - Ireland Mia - Dublin - Ireland Sinead - Limerick - Ireland Emma Gray - Dublin - Ireland May - Dublin - Ireland Emma (Ryan) - Dublin - Ireland Jenny, James, Cara - Ireland Sue - Dublin - Ireland Martha - Dublin - Ireland Greg - Dublin - Ireland Sharon - Ireland Mary - Ireland Audrey - Dublin - Ireland Sabrina + Mike - Dublin - Ireland Paula - Ireland Helen - Ireland Breda - Ireland Martina - Ireland A.Sweeney - Ireland A.ledager - Ireland Gillian - Ireland Martin - Ireland Ciara - Ireland Stephanie - Ireland Denise - Ireland Shana - Ireland Marie - Ireland Anne - Ireland Gemma - Ireland Mary - Ireland Still now change as waiting to gather funds from the last few pledgers. One vacation at the moment, so will regain my pain in the butt campaign next week and follow up on those who still have to pay. One thing did come to mind when running this morning. I never mentioned the significance of why the 10k run completed (as captured in image below)... The School in question is our local primary school in Slieverue, Ireland. I wanted to end the run there to both just pip the distance above 10K as well as show the image of hope for the generations coming up behind us. Hopefully this may be one disease that may not be a worry for some of the kids attending here (if the Fox Foundation reach their goals). Still waiting for a few to pass on what they have pledged. So the 2K mark may not be reachable after all..... Goal Update: $1743.31 actually raised (+ still collecting). Publicity so far: Waterford news and Star. and TV3 Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Contributors: in order of appearance (growing): Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Marco & Casey - UK Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - New Zealand Liam - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland David - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland Palm - Ireland Janet - Ireland Vincent - UK Theresa - Ireland Alan - Ireland Joan - Ireland Marie - Ireland Myrtle + George - Ireland Melissa - Ireland Michael - Ireland Jacinta - Ireland Tom - Ireland John - Ireland Tommy- Ireland Bernie - Ireland Annette - Ireland Pat - Ireland The Connolly Family - Ireland (Eamonn, Frances, Mary, Ned, Catherine, Brendan & Margaret) Brian - Ireland Deirdre + Mark - Cork - Ireland Sinead - Dublin - Ireland Paul - Dublin - Ireland Lucy - Dublin - Ireland Aoife + Jack - Dublin - Ireland Cynthia - Dublin - Ireland Reegina - Dublin - Ireland Mia - Dublin - Ireland Sinead - Limerick - Ireland Emma Gray - Dublin - Ireland May - Dublin - Ireland Emma (Ryan) - Dublin - Ireland Jenny, James, Cara - Ireland Sue - Dublin - Ireland Martha - Dublin - Ireland Greg - Dublin - Ireland Sharon - Ireland Mary - Ireland Audrey - Dublin - Ireland Sabrina + Mike - Dublin - Ireland Paula - Ireland Helen - Ireland Breda - Ireland Martina - Ireland A.Sweeney - Ireland A.ledager - Ireland Gillian - Ireland Martin - Ireland Ciara - Ireland Goal Update: $1692.41 actually raised (+ still collecting). Publicity so far: Waterford news and Star. and TV3 Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Contributors: in order of appearance (growing): Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Marco & Casey - UK Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - New Zealand Liam - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland David - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland Palm - Ireland Janet - Ireland Vincent - UK Theresa - Ireland Alan - Ireland Joan - Ireland Marie - Ireland Myrtle + George - Ireland Melissa - Ireland Michael - Ireland Jacinta - Ireland Tom - Ireland John - Ireland Tommy- Ireland Bernie - Ireland Annette - Ireland Pat - Ireland The Connolly Family - Ireland (Eamonn, Frances, Mary, Ned, Catherine, Brendan & Margaret) Brian - Ireland Deirdre + Mark - Cork - Ireland Sinead - Dublin - Ireland Paul - Dublin - Ireland Lucy - Dublin - Ireland Aoife + Jack - Dublin - Ireland Cynthia - Dublin - Ireland Reegina - Dublin - Ireland Mia - Dublin - Ireland Sinead - Limerick - Ireland Emma Gray - Dublin - Ireland May - Dublin - Ireland Emma (Ryan) - Dublin - Ireland Jenny, James, Cara - Ireland Sue - Dublin - Ireland Martha - Dublin - Ireland Greg - Dublin - Ireland Sharon - Ireland Mary - Ireland Audrey - Dublin - Ireland Sabrina + Mike - Dublin - Ireland Paula - Ireland Goal Update: $1653.82 actually raised (+ still collecting). We broke the $1,500, thanks to my sister (Emma) and all her work mates in Dublin (Ireland). Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Contributors: in order of appearance (growing): Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Marco & Casey - UK Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - New Zealand Liam - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland David - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland Palm - Ireland Janet - Ireland Vincent - UK Theresa - Ireland Alan - Ireland Joan - Ireland Marie - Ireland Myrtle + George - Ireland Melissa - Ireland Michael - Ireland Jacinta - Ireland Tom - Ireland John - Ireland Tommy- Ireland Bernie - Ireland Annette - Ireland Pat - Ireland The Connolly Family - Ireland (Eamonn, Frances, Mary, Ned, Catherine, Brendan & Margaret) Brian - Ireland Deirdre + Mark - Cork - Ireland Sinead - Dublin - Ireland Paul - Dublin - Ireland Lucy - Dublin - Ireland Aoife + Jack - Dublin - Ireland Cynthia - Dublin - Ireland Reegina - Dublin - Ireland Mia - Dublin - Ireland Sinead - Limerick - Ireland Emma Gray - Dublin - Ireland May - Dublin - Ireland Emma (Ryan) - Dublin - Ireland Jenny, James, Cara - Ireland Sue - Dublin - Ireland Martha - Dublin - Ireland Greg - Dublin - Ireland Sharon - Ireland Mary - Ireland Audrey - Dublin - Ireland Sabrina + Mike - Dublin - Ireland Got a nice email from Team Fox today: Dear Sean, Congratulations on a successful event!! I was very happy to recieve your email update and learn that everything went well. If you ever need any information or have any questions please feel free to contact me at any time. I hope you continue as a member of Team Fox! All the best, David MacNiven Development Assistant The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research 212.509.0995 x241 Goal Update: $1318.61 actually raised + sent. (might we reach $1,500?) Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Contributors: in order of appearance (growing): Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Marco & Casey - UK Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - New Zealand Liam - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland David - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland Palm - Ireland Janet - Ireland Vincent - UK Theresa - Ireland Alan - Ireland Joan - Ireland Marie - Ireland Myrtle + George - Ireland Melissa - Ireland Michael - Ireland Jacinta - Ireland Tom - Ireland John - Ireland Tommy- Ireland Bernie - Ireland Annette - Ireland Pat - Ireland The Connolly Family - Ireland (Eamonn, Frances, Mary, Ned, Catherine, Brendan & Margaret) Brian - Ireland One week on....... Goal Update: $1230.78 actually raised. starting to slow!!!! Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Contributors: in order of appearance (growing): Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Marco & Casey - UK Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - New Zealand Liam - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland David - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland Palm - Ireland Janet - Ireland Vincent - UK Theresa - Ireland Alan - Ireland Joan - Ireland Marie - Ireland Myrtle + George - Ireland Melissa - Ireland Michael - Ireland Jacinta - Ireland Tom - Ireland John - Ireland Tommy- Ireland Bernie - Ireland Annette - Ireland Pat - Ireland Goal Update: $1225.78 actually raised. Still a few more people to pester....... I mean collect from. Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Contributors: in order of appearence (growing): Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Marco & Casey - UK Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - New Zealand Liam - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland David - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland Palm - Ireland Janet - Ireland Vincent - UK Theresa - Ireland Alan - Ireland Joan - Ireland Marie - Ireland Myrtle + George - Ireland Melissa - Ireland Michael - Ireland Jacinta - Ireland Tom - Ireland John - Ireland Tommy- Ireland Bernie - Ireland Annette - Ireland Goal Update: $1175.61 actually raised. Few more people to collect from. Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Contributors (growing): Marco & Casey - UK David - New Zealand Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - Ireland Liam - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland Palm - Ireland Janet - Ireland Vincent - UK Theresa - Ireland Alan - Ireland Joan - Ireland Marie - Ireland Myrtle + George - Ireland Melissa - Ireland Michael - Ireland Jacinta - Ireland Tom - Ireland John - Ireland In a small village (Slieverue) in the south east of Ireland. We ran a small event of a 10K run. To collect funding for the The Michael J. Fox Foundation Website: www.michaeljfox.org My Father had always spoken with affection and admiration for Michael J as they shared a common bond in Parkinson's. They were diagnosed at round about the same time in the early nineties. So naturally his foundation and cause were the natural choice for collecting funding for. The day(as mentioned) was chosen because it was my fathers first anniversary. He did in 2005 at the hands of Parkinson's. So one year at the same minute of the day he passed, we ran in defiance of this disease. Our only supporters on the road were Tommy's own children, Kevin, Emma and Frances. A small event, a private event but marked it in a way I'm sure he was smiling and hoping he could have been there cheering us on... Well we did it. Managed in 55 minutes, despite the pain of injury Stiff as a poker today, thanks to said injury and not warming down correctly - and the added weight from the beer belly. Have yet to let Team Fox know about the day, will wait till promised funding comes in and will update here. Some proof in images: Showing start to finish. Goal Update: $1069.77 actually raised: outside of pledges......... Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Got a lovely email from the Irish Parkinson Society. http://www.parkinsons.ie/ . Hi Sean, Firstly I must apologize for the delay in replying to your email but I have been on holidays , I am the only person employed by the Association the rest are all volunteers and as it's summer time it is hard to get people to cover. I really hope the run went well yesterday and that you were not too uncomfortable in such heat, but I'm sure you would have tolerated anything to do the run in your Dad's name. I'm sure he was looking down on you and is very proud. I'm know the work you are doing is very much appreciated in the fight against this dreadful disease, but without fundraisers like yourself progress would be impossible. Congratulations. The Parkinson's Association wish you continued success in your efforts May I also say that I think your website is excellent. Best wishes Marie Lynch Office Administrator Thanks to all so far: All of which has won my lifetime admiration and gratitude. Thank you to all from the Ryan Family (Ireland). Hopefully the list will continue to increase over the coming weeks. Special Mention to David Paterson of New Zealand. A good friend I met through the Web and you can see a page dedicated to him on my site (under charity stuff). Actually I would never have thought to do "something" if not for David and his "walk of hope". An example of one of the hundred(s) of mails David send out to get us some publicity: > In New Zealand, halfway around the world from Ireland, I've heard that > Sean Ryan and his wife, Lisa, of Waterford, south of Dublin, are > preparing to run 10 kilometres tomorrow 20 July for charity! > The run will be in Waterford itself, in commemoration of the first > anniversary of the death of Sean's father, Tommy Ryan, late of Waterford, > from Parkinson's Disease. > Sean has said in his website that he was inspired by the writings of David > Paterson, from Musselburgh near Edinburgh, Scotland, now living in New > Zealand, about his planned charity walk around Britain next year in aid of > The British Heart Foundation and the Rett Syndrome Assoc. (U.K.). I hope > that a good number of your readers might contribute financially to Sean's > and Lisa's cause, as I have done. It's easy to do this, as can be seen by > visiting www.seansshack.com and clicking on the TeamFox icon at the bottom > right corner there. It only takes a dollar or two from each of us to put > their amount raised to help fight this disease right over their target of > only US$500. > Will you help them to help us? Who knows, one of us will be the next > victim of Parkinson's, and we'll be hoping like mad that someone is close > to finding a cure. > By the way, I am that Musselburgh man, and my plans to walk can be seen at > Sean's website and at http:/davidpaterson.paterson.googlepages.com/home. > David Paterson > 23 Ballantrae > Kawerau > Bay of Plenty > New Zealand > Ph./Fax 73236680 Marco & Casey - UK David - New Zealand Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - Ireland Liam - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland Palm - Ireland Janet - Ireland Vincent - UK Theresa - Ireland Alan - Ireland Joan - Ireland Marie - Ireland Myrtle + George - Ireland Goal Update 2: $981.38 (no change) collected and transferred to the foundation: to date. Hence Promised and pledged amount still at (to date:) $1056.88(updated) Not physical yet, but enough to get excited about. Marco & Casey - UK David - New Zealand Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - Ireland Liam - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland Palm - Ireland Janet - Ireland Vincent - UK Theresa - Ireland Alan - Ireland Goal Update: $931.38 (no change) collected and transferred to the foundation: to date. Promised and pledged amount still at (to date:) $976.88. Have a few people that signed up so should break the 1K mark. Where I work promised, they I had to remind, again and again. Started to feel like begging so will have to wait until after the run try the guilty trick. Still injured on the eve of the run. Virus has cleared up, bit weak (whatever the hell it was). But still have sciatica. Slight ease off but painful the less. But considering the physical and mental pain my father went through with this disease, I don't feel I really have the right to moan. Will complete even if I have to limp and moan through every step!!! Goal Update: $931.38 (no change) collected and transferred to the foundation: to date. Promised and pledged amount (to date:) $976.88. Still injured and two days out. Hoping the exercises and a lot of luck kick in before the day. But pushing on regardless. Missed my second test run as a result..... Goal Update: $931.38 collected and transferred to the foundation: to date. Promised and pledged amount (to date:) $976.88. Bit of a fitness set back this weekend. Virus + dose of sciatica. Meaning no running (with legs at least) and a lot of pain. Hopefully can shake it off over the next few days. Never a dull moment.... Marco & Casey - UK David - New Zealand Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - Ireland Liam - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland Palm - Ireland Janet - Ireland We also managed to get some National TV exposure. See the clip here. Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Goal Update: $906.38 collected and transferred to the foundation: to date. Promised and pledged amount (to date:) $951.88. Marco & Casey - UK David - New Zealand Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - Ireland Liam - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland We also managed to get some National TV exposure. See the clip here. Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Goal Update: $779 collected and transferred to the foundation: to date. Promised and pledged amount (to date:) $951.88. Marco & Casey - UK David - New Zealand Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - Ireland Liam - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Martina - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland We also managed to get some National TV exposure. See the clip here. Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Goal Update: $805.81 (collected). Will have to get skates on as slipping a bit today. (628 transferred to fund:) Hence Total (when collected) to date of: $951.88.which includes actual pledges. Marco & Casey - UK David - New Zealand Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - Ireland Liam - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Paula - Ireland Michael - Ireland Val - Ireland We also managed to get some National TV exposure. See the clip here. Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Goal Update: $780.81 (collected). A few potential contributors, but sums unknown at the moment. Going to keep pushing for the 1K mark... Hence Total (when collected) to date of: $926.88. - which includes actual pledges. A note: I watched Grey' Anatomy the other night. They had a Parkinson's suffer in his sixties. Played to perfection by the very talented Bruce Weitz. Brought back a hell of a lot of memories of the disease (along with a few tears).... Contributors (growing): Marco & Casey - UK David - New Zealand Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - Ireland Liam - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland Paul - Ireland Bernie - Ireland Paula - Ireland Michael - Ireland We also managed to get some National TV exposure. See the clip here. Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. Goal Update: $628.28 as of 12th July. with a further $157 pledged = total (when collected) to date of: $785.28. If I keep pestering people (Along with David in New Zealand), we may even reach the magic $1,000.... A tiny drop in the ocean, but a drop none the less............. But taking a look of where this money has come from in the world: paints a nice picture of international caring: Marco & Casey - UK David - New Zealand Denis - USA Kevin - Ireland Niall - Ireland Fergal - Ireland Teddy - UK/Spain Eileen - Ireland David - Ireland Liam - Ireland James - Ireland Barry - Sweden John - New Zealand Jim - Ireland Eoin - Ireland Eileen - Ireland Frankie - Ireland Michael - Ireland Olivia - Ireland. Other news: Also came across The Irish Parkinson's foundations website. http://www.parkinsons.ie/ . Where you can sign up or find information regarding the disease. $603.28 as of 11th July. So we have beaten our goal!!! Now to double it... $475.92 as of 10th July......Still climbing..... Have handed out a few sponsorship cards to friend, family and work. Just trying it the old fashioned way. ____________________________________________________________________ Update of fund raised: as of today. 9th July = $432.00. Would like to not just meet the target, but bury it. So any help would be much appreciated, even $1.00, just to recognise the cause and disease. We picked and ran the 10K route yesterday. Just to prove to ourselves we could do so without too much pain. The longest distance to date, was 4.8 miles. Yesterday we did the 6.2. Without too much pain or winging. ____________________________________________________________________ We had originally intended to do our 10K for Team Fox within an annual Fun run in Waterford. But we finally decided that July 20th is the first anniversary of my Father's passing. So it would be the best gesture and defiance of the disease, to pound the pavement and be running at the same time of day that Parkinson took him from us. Hence our official date is 20th of July 2006 (kicking off at 9:00 am). We can hopefully make it an annual event. But will see how the first run goes: but physically and financially (for the cause). We also managed to get some National TV exposure. See the clip here. Remember you can keep track of our fund raising or make a donation: here. ____________________________________________________________________ Thanks to my Uncle Denis, Uncle Teddy, Aunt Eileen and brother Kevin. Plan to start passing out flyers and sponsorship forms this weekend. Was impressed by the personal touch of Team Fox, by noticing my progress in fund raising and sending this recent mail. Dear Sean, I recently noticed that you have made it halfway towards your Team Fox fundraising goal. Congratulations! We appreciate the work you are doing as a part of Team Fox and hope that it continues to be a great experience for you. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. All the best, David MacNiven Development Assistant The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Great to see a charity organisation valuing it's members and their work. ____________________________________________________________________ I finally decided I wanted to get fit once again and shed a few pounds as a result. So myself and my two running partners (my wife Lisa and friend Eamon) have decided to train and run in a 10K in Waterford Ireland in September (approx). No, I'm not insane or fit enough to do a full Marathon!!!!! Training is going ok. Now up to 4.5 miles, with a minimal of 3.5 per day. Speed is OK, completing 8 minute miles. Considering my age and the course being full of hills, I am happy enough. Make that three injuries to date. Injured back which required several visits for treatment and twisted ankle couple of weeks back and a strained hip last week. But back in action. Who said exercise was good for you ????? ____________________________________________________________________ To mark this with the anniversary of my Fathers (Tommy Ryan) Death from Parkinson's disease in July, I decided I wanted to run the event for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Sending them a letter I got this response. Dear Sean, Thank you for contacting The Michael J. Fox Foundation and expressing an interest in community fundraising. We truly appreciate your desire to help in the fight against Parkinson's disease. The Foundation has just recently launched Team Fox, a formal grassroots community project that makes it easier than ever to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s research. As a part of Team Fox you’ll have access to stickers, posters and our copyrighted logo to brand your efforts as an official Team Fox event. Team members also receive incentive awards for their efforts and benefits upon registration such as your own Team Fox Web page and email center, access to additional Team Fox Playbook of fundraising tips, a Team Fox Member Player’s Card and an invitation to the Team Fox MVP (Most Valuable People) Awards in New York City. Community fundraisers give hope to others and make progress possible; progress such as creating the first whole-genome map of PD and pushing therapeutics to patients. We could not make these strides without your help. From galas to lemonade stands and everything in between, Team Fox members come up with creative ways to make a difference in their world. I'm attaching for you a list of a few possibilities that might be a good fit for your community. We invite you today to become a member of Team Fox and join our efforts. Signing up is easy – simply log on to www.teamfox.org and get in the game! All the Best, David MacNiven Development Assistant P.S. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time. ____________________________________________________________________ I have signed up and donated to Team Fox: You can keep up to date with our charity collection here. Received my official pack from Team Fox on Tuesday the 4th. So it's official, as I'm a card carrying member. Now to get a start date and start raising funds. Donation level will hopefully increase as we approach the date of the run. All money collected will be passed onto Team Fox. How to donate: You can easily donate through the Team fox page for this run here. Just click on the "Support me with a Donation" button. Drop us a line by email: seansshack@oceanfree.net Make donations through Paypal. Click on image below.

You can find out more about Michael, his campaign and the Parkinson's disease at The Michael J. Fox Foundation Website: www.michaeljfox.org