Limavady running coach to take on London Marathon for Foyle Hospice

A Limavady man is set to take on the London Marathon, using his passion for running to support the vital work of Foyle Hospice for the very first time.

Darren Walsh, a marathon runner and Coach for Springwell Running Club, has spent the last few years documenting his running journey — but this challenge carries a deeper meaning, as he raises funds to support patients and families across the community.

Having set aside a 16-week training block, Darren admits he is feeling both excited and nervous ahead of race day.

However, his motivation goes far beyond the finish line.

“I’m very aware of the work Foyle Hospice does and how important it is within the community,” Darren said.

“It’s a service that so many families rely on, and one that depends heavily on fundraising. Every penny raised will help patients and their families when they need it most.”

Darren was introduced to the opportunity through local connections, after fellow supporter John Butcher encouraged him to get involved and put him in touch with the Foyle Hospice team.

While this is his first time raising funds for Foyle Hospice, Darren already understands the difference the service makes, having seen the care provided to a friend’s mother.

“The mother of a close friend of mine received care from Foyle Hospice, so I’ve seen first-hand how they are helping so many families,” he said.

“It really shows how important the service is and the impact it has.”

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Darren’s own running journey began many years ago.

In 2006, he described himself as being overweight and struggling to get started. After managing just 200 metres on his first attempt, he turned to the gym — and has never looked back.

Today, he trains up to six days a week and now supports others as a running coach. Despite his experience, the London Marathon remains a significant personal challenge.

Darren will be travelling to the event as part of the Foyle Hospice marathon team, but will have his wife and three children cheering him on from the sidelines.

As he prepares to take on one of the world’s most iconic races, Darren also hopes to inspire others to consider fundraising for causes like Foyle Hospice.

“For anyone thinking about starting, I’d just say get your trainers on and go for it,” he said.

“You never regret going for a run. It’s about taking that first step — the motivation will come after.

“It was a very easy process to sign up – you can complete a marathon in aid of Foyle Hospice on your own or join their marathon team. All you do is reach out to their fundraising team and they will take care of the rest.”

He added: “When you’re raising money for charity, you always think about the people you’re helping. It puts everything into perspective. You realise how lucky you are to be able to do something like this.”

Foyle Hospice continues to rely on the generosity of the community to provide specialist palliative care and support services to patients and families across the North West.

Darren’s marathon effort is just one example of how individuals are stepping forward to make a difference — turning personal challenges into a meaningful mission to help others.

You can support Darren’s fundraiser by visiting his JustGiving page