By Lauren Wall
A WOMAN with a rare lung condition successfully finished the Donegal half marathon but said the “true victory” was running it for her late sister.
Leonie Gallagher was raising money for Pieta House in Letterkenny following the support they have given her since sadly losing her beautiful sister Fiona 10 years ago.
School teacher Leonie, who was one of 1,000 bighearted runners last Sunday, has a lung condition that leaves her vulnerable to respiratory infections.
But she did not let that hold her back, revealed Leonie.
She said: “The fact that I finished still running is a real victory to me.
“I have an invisible disability but I never let it hold me back.
“Anything is possible when you believe in yourself and keep going!
“I’m quite disciplined about running three times a week to keep my lungs healthy, and all that hard work has really paid off.
“Never let anything convince you that you can’t do something.
“Keep pushing, believe in yourself and you might surprise yourself with what you can achieve.
“To me the victory is passing the finish line, running for Fiona with a love heart – that is the true victory indeed.
“I wore Fiona’s daughter’s bracelet around my wrist for motivation”.
“I’m so happy to support Pieta because I got incredible counsellor, Jim Sheehy, who looked after me.
“For me, it was the man sitting in front of me in the crisis. He was there every week in Letterkenny when I was in.”
Since Leonie has started her fundraising for Pieta House in memory of Fiona, whose 10 year anniversary is this week, comments have been pouring in online.
One tribute said: “She was a joy to be around.”
Others described her as someone who was always smiling, chatty and upbeat, as well as being a devoted mother.
Leonie said: “Fiona was the kindest person and always good craic.”
She is continuing to fundraise and has now raised over €1,841 for Pieta House in Letterkenny.
Leonie would like to thank everybody who has donated and supported her along this journey, as well as helping keep Fiona’s memory alive.
She added: “Every donation, no matter how big or small, would mean so much to me.”