Offaly teenager to celebrate late brother's memory with Colour Dash for Irish Cancer Society

PHOTO ABOVE: The late Leon Lowry

The upcoming Colour Dash Family 5k will have special meaning for one Offaly teenager who sadly lost her brother to cancer earlier this year.

Clodagh Lowry from Ballycumber ran her first Colour Dash on her brother Leon’s birthday last year: “It was an amazing experience, and it was brilliant to be able to do it on his birthday. When we finished we got the next train home to celebrate his 44th birthday with him,” said the 17-year-old.

This year’s Colour Dash will be an emotional occasion for the Lowry family following Leon’s passing in February after his long battle with cancer.

“Leon was first diagnosed with a glioma tumour on his brain in 2012. Despite what he went through he was always mad for a bit of craic and socialising. He loved his family and his two sons were his world.

“He travelled to Canada and Zambia for his job. He was so passionate about music, playing the piano, banjo and bodhrán.

“He was so full of life. Leon was just all round amazing and was the best dad, son, brother, uncle and nephew a family could ask for.”

Unfazed by the postponement of the traditional Colour Dash events due to health and safety concerns over Covid-19, Clodagh is keen to celebrate her brother’s memory by taking part in the replacement Colour Dash Family 5k on Sunday, July 5, from home.

“A quote I like to say is: ‘You may have to fight the battle more than once to win it’. That sums up Leon’s attitude. It feels great to be involved in something that is helping people who are going through the same thing as what my brother did.”

You can join participants like Clodagh by getting on your most colourful clothes to run, walk, bike or scoot the Colour Dash Family 5k, proudly sponsored by Aldi, on Sunday, July 5, in your local area to raise vital funds for cancer patients nationwide. Sign up today at https://www.cancer.ie/colourdash