Knockbridge native Rachel Keenan will take part in this year’s VHI Women’s Mini Marathon in memory of her sister Kate who tragically passed away just over a year ago following a road accident just a week after her 25th birthday. Kate who was a passenger in a van suffered fatal injuries when the vehicle crashed into a tree on the road at Carnalogue during Storm Isha.
Rachel is taking part in the mini marathon to try and raise funds for a charity very close to her heart with all proceeds going to the ‘Irish Road Victim Association’. According to Rachel the organisation will be close to their families hearts forever given the support they offered in the weeks and months following Kate’s tragic passing.
“This year I will be entering the Women’s Mini Marathon for the first time which I know Kate would find funny because I generally wouldn’t walk the length of myself,” laughs Rachel.
“Myself and about nineteen or twenty other people including my partner and Dad who will be both dressing up as women for the race will take part in the race this year in memory of Kate and to try and raise money for the Irish Road Victims Association. They are a brilliant organisation who I know were brilliant for my Mam and Dad in the wake of our tragic loss.
“Kate was the 13th death on the roads of 2024 last January and by the end of the year there were 174 who had been killed in accidents on the roads. People need to be more aware on the roads and to take greater care while driving. A lot of these deaths are very preventable,” stated Rachel.
“Our lives will never be the same again since losing my beautiful beloved little sister to a RTA. This charity won’t change the lives of the family’s left behind to pick up their shattered lives & try piece them back together, nothing will change that, but any help or funds do go a long way to supporting the families. It will be a bittersweet day for us in June when we take part in the Mini Marathon but we will make sure to do it with a smile on our faces to honour Kate’s memory. If anybody is able to support us and help support other families who have been affected by deaths on our roads then I have set up a GoFundMe page with al proceeds going to the Irish Road Victim Association’” stated Rachel.
Rachel’s GoFundMe Page has currently raised €1655 and if you want to donate you can do so at the following link https://www.gofundme.com/f/jq62vv-irish-road-victims-association
