Cliffs’ fundraiser in memory of baby Nicholas

A FIVE-mile run and walk to commemorate the short life of baby Nicholas Stokes of Phoenix, Arizona, will take place along the Cliffs of Moher on March 16, 2013. The event has just been launched by RTÉ sports personality, Marty Morrissey and renowned ultra-runner, Keith Whyte from Ennis.
Newborn baby Nicholas passed away at the Cliffs of Moher in 2006. His parents, Kelly and Delia, were so touched by the support they received at the time of the tragedy that they have raised over $80,000 to supply emergency equipment and emergency response training for personnel at the Cliffs of Moher, the tourist destination where the first aid centre is known as Nicholas’ Room.
The 2013 five-mile run in memory of baby Nicholas is being organised by the Ennis Phoenix Twinning Board, in association with James Sexton, Clare Athletics PRO.
The five-miler is part of Phoenix Week 2013, which will mark the 25th anniversary of twinning between the town of Ennis and the US city of Phoenix.
For seven days next March, Ennis will celebrate the special relationship it shares with Phoenix, Arizona. More than 100 people will travel from Phoenix for the week-long event.
The group will include an official delegation led by Michael Johnson, the Deputy Mayor of Phoenix. He will be joined by city council elected representatives and executives, business leaders and Phoenix Sister City personnel.
According to Ennis Town Councillor Mary Howard of the Ennis Phoenix Twinning Board, “We have organised a week-long series of events in order to mark the 25th anniversary of our relationship with Phoenix.  One of the highlights of the week will be the Cliffs of Moher Five-miler. We feel this is a very positive way of honouring the memory of baby Nicholas and the generosity of his parents.”
The funds raised by the run will go towards Nicholas’ Room First Aid Centre at the Cliffs and the Neonatal Unit in St Munchin’s Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick.
Preparations are underway to cater for 1,000 participants in the five-miler and almost 50 runners from Phoenix plan to take part. Those intending to run or walk the route can register on www.runireland.com.
The Stokes family welcomed the announcement of the event.
“We are so excited about the event. It is such a fitting way to celebrate the significance of Nicholas’ short life. We are deeply moved to see how his story and the amazing response of those who came to our assistance continue to inspire compassion and a desire to help those critically in need of medical assistance. This event is about community.
“We hope everyone will come out on March 16 and help support the quality first-aid services provided through Nicholas’ Room First Aid Centre at the Cliffs of Moher and the compassionate care provided in the neonatal unit of St. Munchin’s Hospital.”
Phoenix Week in Ennis is being organised to coincide with the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the county. The St Mary’s Catholic High School Band from Phoenix has accepted an invitation to play in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Ennis. During their visit, the band will visit Ennis schools, perform in the Cathedral and at the starting point of the Cliffs of Moher Five-miler.
Mayor of Ennis, Peter Considine, said, “It is very heartening to see the ongoing support of the people of Phoenix for the Stokes family. It is very important that their loss and their generosity are marked here in County Clare during Phoenix Week. What better way than to have an event at the Cliffs, which will raise much-needed funds for Nicholas’ Room First Aid Centre and St Munchin’s Neonatal Unit.”
T J Waters, chairperson of the Ennis Phoenix Twinning Board, is keen to stress that the run could not take place without the support of the staff at the Cliffs of Moher.
“They are completely behind this five-miler and will do everything necessary to make the event special for all the participants,” he said.