A truly inspiring story…
Patrick Gibbs completed the Auckland Marathon in about five hours over the weekend and we want to tell you why him finishing that race was so significant and inspirational.
Patrick is from Limerick but has been living in the South Hemisphere since 2008 and his life changed forever in November 2011 when himself and his girlfriend Kelly Meehan were involved in a car accident during journey along the Great Northern Highway.
The collision had a tragic outcome as Kelly sadly passed away at the scene, Patrick talked to the Limerick Leader newspaper about what happened.
“I had a great job as an engineer in Australia, that was looking up and up, and I had the girl of my dreams right at my side. Life just seemed to have finally shined on us,
“Well that was the last thought that went through my head, before a drunk driver collided head on into our car. Kelly was asleep at the time of the accident and never woke up. To say my life changed that day would be an understatement.”
As well as losing his girlfriend Patrick was told that he’d never play sport again which came as a blow as he’d been involved in hurling, lifesaving, and track and field growing up.
After operations to repair his legs, Patrick said a conversation with a doctor at the time motivated him to do something great.
“He [the doctor] said that ‘hard running’ was out, not wanting to say that I would never play again but to explain he echoed that I would never run a marathon! As the words escaped his lips, I’m sure my sterling family and friends smiled knowing it would be the reason to get me out of the bed! I had lost the one person I loved the most in my life and I just couldn’t face losing my second great passion.
“Sitting in a spinal ward, although not a spinal patient, I was humbled by the amazing attitude of my hospital mates. They were driven to prove the docs wrong and I was not going to left them down. I would walk again but I was not going to stop there. I was going to push through whatever pain for them to prove nothing is impossible!”
Patrick fought back from the injuries and set-backs to completed the 26 miles over the weekend which shows amazing courage, fight and determination.
The charity Patrick is supporting is the Child Cancer Foundation of New Zealand. He choose that charity to show solidarity with his aunt Maire who defeated breast cancer but is now in a battle with brain cancer.
The Ballinacurra man has raised over €7,000 so far for the charity and you can still donate money by click here if you can spare some money. Well done Patrick, you’re a legend.
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