Mandy King is FLORA HEART HERO 2010
Mandy King, who lost her leg due to cancer, is voted the 'Flora Heart Hero 2010' at the Flora Women's Mini Marathon
Monday June 7th 2010
Mandy King (35) from Ballymun in Dublin has today been announced as the 'Flora Heart Hero 2010' as part of the Flora Women's Mini Marathon.
The Flora Heart Heroes competition was devised by Flora to recognise and reward the many inspirational women who participate in the Flora Women's Mini Marathon each year, improving their overall fitness and heart health while raising much needed funds for charities across the country.
From almost 100 applications received from women across the country, Mandy was shortlisted with two other candidates and together participated in an online vote to be crowned the 'Flora Heart Hero 2010' and win an extra €1,000 towards their charities.
Only four years ago Mandy, who has two young children, was diagnosed with a tumour on her leg. After chemotherapy failed, Mandy was given the heartbreaking news that she would have to have her leg amputated from above the knee. In the four years since her amputation, Mandy has shown such strength of character and has now fully adapted to life with her prosthetic leg. Having participated in the Flora Women's Mini Marathon before she was diagnosed with cancer, this year Mandy decided to take up the challenge to participate in the event again and has been in training all year to be able to walk the 10km.
Mandy was nominated as a Flora Heart Hero by her charity Robynslife who wanted to show her how inspirational she is and how much she means to all of them. Robynslife is a charity which was established to fund a life saving operation for Robyn Smith, a five-year-old girl with a rare form of cancer.
Mandy was announced as a the Flora Heart Hero 2010 at a special presentation held at the start line of the Flora Women's Mini Marathon and was presented with the cheque for €1,000 towards her fundraising efforts by Niamh Lennon, Brand Manager with Flora.
Niamh Lennon, Brand Manager with Flora, commented:
"When we launched the Flora Heart Heroes initiative we never expected to be so overwhelmed by the passion, commitment and strength of character that so many of participants in the Flora Women's Mini Marathon posses. Mandy truly is a Flora Heart Hero and she is an inspiration to us all. I wish to personally thank every single person who took the time to send in an application and to vote and especially the two runners-up Emma Doyle and Lucianne White who deserve to be recognised for their achievements also. All of the three shortlisted ladies represent the best of what the Flora Women's Mini Marathon is all about, Irish women coming together to support each other and others, while getting heart healthy and fit."
The Flora Heart Heroes runners-up were Emma Doyle from Stillorgan and Lucianne White from Blackrock and they were both presented with a cheque for Û500 each for their respective charities the Parkinson's Association of Ireland and Bodywhys.
Over 40,000 women participated in the Flora Womens Mini Marathon 2010, the hugely popular 10k event which takes place in Dublin on the June Bank Holiday Monday.
Since it's inception in 1983, when 9,000 entrants took part, the 10k event has grown in popularity and stature to become the biggest all-women's event of its kind in the world, attracting over 40,000 participants each year. In previous years the event has been won by acclaimed athletes such as Sonia O'Sullivan, Catherina McKiernan, Pauline Curley, Marie Davenport, and last year Rosemary Ryan.
Charities from every county in Ireland are the biggest winners from the Flora WomenÕs Mini Marathon. Since the event began in 1983, over €137 million has been raised for Irish charities, making it the biggest single day charity event in Ireland. In 2009, it is estimated that over €14m was raised, which proves just how popular the event is.