The Lough Ree RNLI volunteer crew has already assisted more than 150 people this year.
A midlands man is embarking on more than two marathons this weekend to raise funds for the new RNLI boathouse in Athlone.
Water enthusiast and Tullamore native Denis Bergin is taking on the 90 kilometre challenge this bank holiday weekend.
He starts from the Lough Ree RNLI boathouse at Coosan Point on Saturday morning (24th October) at 9am.
His route will take him through Ballykeeran, Glasson and onwards through the parishes of Tang, Ballymahon, Kenagh and Newtowncashel as he hugs the lake shore on his way to the bridge at Lanesboro, Co. Longford.
On the return marathon, he will run down the west side of Lough Ree from Ballyleague towards Roscommon town and then swings south through Kilteevan, Knockcroghery, Lecarrow, Ballybay and Hodson Bay back to finish in Coosan on Sunday afternoon.
Denis, who lives in Athlone and is a long time supporter of the charity says;
"I was hoping to run in the Dublin City Marathon to support the new lifeboat station but when that got cancelled I had to think of a different challenge for the same weekend.
"As the lifeboat covers every corner of the lake, running around it seemed a good alternative."
The boathouse is nearing completion at Coosan Point.
Welcoming the initiative, Lough Ree RNLI Treasurer Vincent Rafter says;
"Great progress has been made on raising the €100,000 community contribution for the €1.2m boathouse and the generosity and endurance of people like Denis are an inspiration to all those who support and rely on the charity."
The Lough Ree RNLI volunteer crew has already assisted more than 150 people in 42 call-outs on the lake.
Donations to Denis Bergin’s double marathon run for the boathouse can be made here.
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