Mayo man encourages people to take part in MS fundraiser

Mayo man and MS Ireland senior fundraiser, Shane Bennett, has launched the May 50K fitness challenge at the MS Ireland Care Centre in Dublin.

The Castlebar man helped launch the fundraising challenge this week at the care, which is Ireland’s only national respite centre for people with MS. 

MS Ireland is calling on participants of all ages and abilities to take up the month-long challenge in May in the run-up to World MS Day on May 30. 

28-year-old Shane Bennett was diagnosed with relapse-remitting Multiple Sclerosis at age 21 while studying in Galway. 

“Upon diagnosis, I felt very much robbed of my future and to take back some control over my youth, I moved to Amsterdam 6 years ago,

“During my time in Holland, my MS grew, and I found myself in a difficult journey to tame my MS. Luckily for me, a move to the right medication transformed my life. Once I felt in control of my MS my life flourished, so much so, I felt a calling to move home and pursue a career with MS Ireland,” he said. 

The May 50K is a global fitness and fundraising challenge to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research worldwide.

Money raised will help fund a variety of different information, support, advocacy, and services on a national and regional level, including the national MS care centre.

The premise is simple, walk, roll, or run 50 kilometres during the month of May in return for sponsorship. You can take part on your own, create a family team, or get your workplace involved. 

The event is virtual, meaning you can take part from anywhere you may be.

Commenting on the upcoming challenge, Shane explained he is both ‘managing and taking part’.

“I’m building a team of friends and family from Mayo to take part with me. The interest is growing, and my close circle wants to make a difference in supporting MS Ireland on a national, regional and local level,” he added.

MS Ireland works to support over 10,000 people living with MS in Ireland, and by taking part in the challenge ‘will make a real impact on the lives of people with MS from all over Ireland’. 

Shane said: “Every step you take, every kilometre you clock, helps people get access to the treatment they need today and provide vital funding for international research into MS. 30% of all funds raised go towards funding life-changing MS research and 70% goes to local services and supports in Ireland”.

Encouraging as many people as possible to take part in the challenge, he explained that ‘not only will taking part in this challenge help support the vital services provided by MS Ireland, but from a health viewpoint it will also really benefit those taking part’.

For more information, and to register for the fundraiser, see the Mayo 50K website.