Inspiring Cork boy, 8, with cerebral palsy raises over 30k for charities that help him with 5k walk – The Irish Sun

AN eight-year old boy who has cerebral palsy walked 5,000 metres over the past 50 days raising 31,000 for the charities that help him.

And as he hit his 5K goal inspirational, Oliver Lynch said I plan to take over the world.

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The first to greet him as he crossed the line was his proud dad Kevin and mum Alison along with his twin brother Reuben and sister Caoimhe.

Mum Alison said: We are just so proud of him and what he has achieved.

"The support has been amazing. It was about getting him moving, getting him strong and it has resulted in big benefits for him so we are going to keep it going. Who knows he could be doing marathons in the future."

Dad Kevin added: We are so proud of Oliver. He started a hero and finished a superhero, an absolute champion.

At his home in Ballincollig, Cork neighbours, friends and members of the emergency services lined the final 100m route cheering him on and waiting to give him a heros greeting.

Gardai, members of the National Ambulance Service bike paramedics and the Cork City Fire Brigade all willed him over the finishing line.

His determination and courage to keep going every day since mid-April, whatever the weather, impacted deeply on his local community and his family.

The young boy was hailed for his courage by Taoiseach Micheal Martin who sent a video message, saying: I cant believe the amount of money youve raised. Its fantastic. Well done.

Oliver also received a personal letter from President Michael D Higgins and an in-person congratulations from the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Joe Kavanagh.

Cllr Kavanagh said he was moved to tears watching Olivers brave walk stating In difficult times like this pandemic, we need heroes like Oliver to bring people and communities together.

Oliver, who also has epilepsy and finds walking, even with a walking frame, difficult raised over 30,000 for CUH Charity, Enable Ireland and Dogs for the Disabled.

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Oliver, a pupil in Gaelscoil Ui Riordain in Ballincollig was upset when he couldnt join his brother and sister when they did a couch to 5K challenge during lockdown so instead of feeling sorry for himself he mapped out his own 5K walk to raise funds for the charities in mid-April.

Initially the going was tough, but as the days went by he got stronger and faster and his initial target of 5,000 was quickly overtaken as donations poured into his gofundme page.

CUH Charity plans to upgrade a telemetry room in the hospital where children with epilepsy are monitored with their share of the money and they will put a plaque outside the door to honour Olivers remarkable walk.

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Inspiring Cork boy, 8, with cerebral palsy raises over 30k for charities that help him with 5k walk - The Irish Sun