Cork Senior Hurler, Robbie O’ Flynn, has come up with a novel way of raising funds for Marymount Hospice.

He is gathering team members and GAA managers to undertake a solo run challenge over 48 hours on 25th and 26th April for Marymount hospice, which depends heavily on public donations.

Up to 50 Cork players and managers are expected to do a solo relay run in their gardens to raise funds over 48 hours next weekend. The solo runs will be videoed and streamed live via an Instagram page which Robbie set up for the event @Corkhurling.Marymount

He has also made a Facebook Page to support the initiative.

Robbie O’ Flynn said: “With a lot of Marymount’s fundraising events cancelled due to Covid-19, I thought it would be great if we could do something collectively to support them.

“Initially, I was thinking of donating or raffling jerseys but then thought that a solo run would be something that we could all get involved in to support this worthy cause. It would also be within social distancing guidelines in that we will all do the run in our own gardens or within a 2km radius of where we live. I asked some of the lads and they thought it was a great idea. Management have been really supportive too.”

The event aims to raise €50K for Marymount Hospice. Anyone who donates to the fund will be entered into a prize raffle for Cork team jerseys.

The 22-year-old player from Glounthaune in Cork, who has recently completed a Masters in Management and Marketing at UCC, said “ the run will begin at 6am on Saturday the 25th of April, followed on the hour and around the clock by each participant. “

The fundraising campaign has been launched via a Go Fund Me page and donations are already coming through.

“It’s good to be able to play a part in supporting such a worthy cause”, said Robbie.

“Covid-19 restrictions are affecting Marymount’s scheduled fundraising activities so this is a great opportunity to use our time, energy and skills to make a difference to people’s lives.”

Patrick Horgan, captain of the Cork senior hurling team, said: “We are all so delighted to be involved in such an event to support Marymount Hospice and the great work they do. Everybody in Cork has a close connection to Marymount in one way or another and show great strength and generosity any time an event like this one is run.

“The way Cork people especially come together to support something like Marymount, makes us all proud to be from Cork.”

Speaking about the event Cork Senior Hurling Manager Kieran Kingston said “Marymount Hospice is so important to the people of Cork, and the we are delighted to be able to be involved in a fundraiser like this, for such a great cause like Marymount Hospice”

Donations can be made via https://www.gofundme.com/f/corkhurlersformarymount/donate or by contacting Marymount Hospice’s fundraising team at 021 4501201 or email fundraising@marymount.ie