An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 22 | BY SGT SIMON HALPENNY, 27 INF BN PHOTOS CPL COLIN DELANY, J4, DFHQ O n 3rd July 2019, the 56th Recruit Platoon, B Coy, 27 Inf Bn conducted a 14km loaded charity run in aid of Temple Street Children's Hospital. Our little hero Caitlin Neary had inspired us to take on this run. Caitlin was diagnosed with a life-threatening stomach issue, which required a number of emergency surgeries. This little angel defied the odds due to the outstanding care and support from Temple Street Children's University Hospital. To show our thanks for the care and support that Caitlin and her family received, the 56th Recruit Platoon and instructing staff conducted a 14km run in battle dress carrying 25kg of equipment. The run started in West Street, Drogheda, Co Louth and finished in Gormanston Camp, Co Meath. The Platoon received a fantastic welcome in Drogheda from the local population - young and old. The run took over 2 hours due to the high temperatures on the day and the weight being carried. When the Platoon arrived back to Gormanston Camp and to mark the occasion they were greeted at the gate by the families of both recruits and instructors. And upon completion of the run and to coincide with their passing out as two-star privates, the recruits of the 56th Recruit Platoon were presented with their two-star rank markings by B Coy's Company Commander Comdt Ian Kilbride. As it stands they have raised over €7,553.81 with some donations still coming in, so the count could still rise. Angela McNulty, Special Events & Community Manager, for Temple Street Foundation said, "Thank you so much for creating a Facebook fundraiser on behalf of Temple Street Children's Hospital, we hugely appreciate your support! I would love to follow up with you directly and thank you person- ally for your efforts on behalf of our little patients and to tell you more about the impact that your fundraiser will have for our hospital. Thanks again to you and your followers for your amazing support." The family of Caitlin couldn't thank the recruits enough: "When we heard that the 56th Recruit Platoon would be 'Marching for Cait- lin' we were genuinely taken back. Our first question was - how can we help? But Sgt Halpenny had it all sorted with Temple Street – it goes to show the Defence Forces is more than a job - it's a family. We brought Caitlin to meet the recruits a few weeks before they marched so they could see how well she was recovering after all the amazing care she received from Temple Street. On the day of the march the people of Drogheda were very sup- portive of what the Defence Forces were doing for Temple Street and it was great to see how supportive they were to the members of the Defence Forces. From Caitlin and all of our family, we would like to congratulate the recruits on becoming 2* privates and thank you to all of them and their training staff for all they have done for Temple Street on behalf of Caitlin." Caitl in Marching their way to Gormanston Camp. The just rewards of Recruit Training. Caitlin with the troops Setting off from Drogheda.

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