By Sean Moriarty

David Looney is on target to complete his 170-mile run in November.

In doing so he has well exceeded his goal of €2,000 and is likely to break the €9,000 barrier by the time he finishes in the middle of next week.

The well-known manager of the Tatler Jack Bar on Plunkett St set the target in memory of his sister-in-law Geraldine O'Connor, who passed away on November 30 last year after a five year battle with cancer.

David ran at least eight miles every day to raise funds for the Palliative Care Unit in University Hospital Kerry.

As the Killarney Advertiser closed for press on Thursday night David had completed 150 miles.

With just 20 left to run he will scale back his distances over the weekend so he can reach the 170-mile target on Geraldine’s anniversary next Wednesday. Geraldine was a patient of Palliative Care Unit in her final days and the family experienced first hand the level of care that goes on there. 

"A huge thanks to everyone that has supported me. I will take a bit of a rest Monday and Tuesday so I can finish it on the correct day,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.

“I have had great help and support, even my seven-year-old son Jack has come and ran two miles with me a few times, he just wanted to help. But it just shows, unfortunately, how many people know about the first-class facilities at the palliative care."

David started his run on November 1 and despite the horrendous weather during the month he has never missed a day.

“I don’t mind the weather,” he added. “Once it is not torrential when I set off, you don’t be long building up a sweat.”

Updates can be seen on Tatler Jack's social media pages and donations can be made via the GoFundMe page by searching '170 Miles in November in memory of Geraldine’.