A Dublin duo are preparing to run a marathon as a way to raise money for their pal who dreams of dancing again.
Matthew Murphy is a free spirit from Skerries, he’s a man who loves adventure, new experiences and a bit of dancing.
But sadly he suffered from a serious spinal-cord injury in Mexico last year when he was on a boat tour off the coast of Cancun.
Matthew dived into the water and hit a shallow sandbank which has left him with limited function in his arms, no control of his triceps, hands or lower body. But his friends are hoping to get him the medical care he needs to get back on his feet.
For the past few months, his kind hearted and creative friends have been coming up with unique ways to raise the vital funds to get him back on his feet.
Jessie Picone and Donal Corrigan have put on their running shoes to help out and are heading to Galway on March 5 to do something they’ve never done before.
Jessie told Dublin Live: “We’re running to help raise money for our friend Matt, who was in a pretty tragic accident last year that left him unable to walk as well as minimised mobility from the neck down. The run is a full marathon, which is 42km.
"I assume it will be tough, it’s my first marathon and it’s quite a distance.”
Jessie and Donal are aiming to raise €5,000 from the marathon alone and the Go Fund Me page is looking to raise a total of €250,000 for Matt’s life changing surgery that could help him get up and "dancing again."
Jessie said: “100 percent of the proceeds go towards getting Matt the right treatment to give him the best chance at walking and gaining mobility back. The treatment can be pretty expensive so it’s to support Matt and his family in any way possible.
“I only know Matt through my boyfriend, David. It’s a pretty novice friendship, but I’ve only heard the most incredible stories from Davy and all of their friends.
“Over the past few months I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Matt myself a few times and he has only ever exceeded his description.
"If anybody deserves the chance to get back on their feet it would be Matt Murphy.”
You can donate to Matt’s GoFundMe here, or you can donate directly to the marathon fund here.
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