WHAT STARTED out as a memorial fun run turned into a hugely successful community event at the weekend when hundreds of people turned up to participate in the Kevin Banville Memorial Fun Run at Carrigbyrne.

Kevin, from the pillar lane in Carrigadaggin, died following a farm accident on St. Patrick’s Day last year.

His widow, Diane, decided to organise a memorial run in his memory after being encouraged to do so by friends and relatives in the Newbawn area.

However, no-one could have predicted how successful it would turn out to be as a delighted Diane told the Echo yesterday.

“We couldn’t be more delighted with how it turned out,” she said.

“We haven’t got all the money back in yet but even at that it’s over €4,000 so we’re hoping it will be over €4,500 by the time we’re done,” she added.

Significantly, the money raised will go towards an organisation called Compassionate Friends which is based in New Ross and provides an invaluable service to the local community by providing support to people who have experienced the death of a loved one – especially that of a child.

There were over two certificates of completion created especially for Saturday’s event, however, such was the turnout that the organisers ran out.

Local organisations and business such as SuperValu and Tipperary Water also got behind the initiative and provided sponsorship of water and fun items for kids like helium balloons.

Diane, along with the Banville family and the organisers of the event, thanked everyone who helped make the day such a success.