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Famous Leprechaun in Sydney Marathon
Creator   Adrian Raftery
Close at  Thursday, 20 May 2010

*** LARRY IS RUNNING AGAIN GO TO http://www.gofundraise.com.au/leprechaunman  42,195 small steps for the World's Tallest Leprechaun ... one HUGE leap for Bears of Hope.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!

YOU THINK THE WEATHER IS HOT?  TRY RUNNING IN A LEPRECHAUN OUTFIT FOR 42.2KM!

*** SET UP YOUR OWN SOPHIE BEAR DRIVE PAGE IN HONOUR OF YOUR CHILD  
http://bearsofhope.gofundraise.com.au/ ***

Many thanks for your support ... if you feel inspired by our efforts then I would welcome your support with a donation.

As promised I ran the Sydney Marathon (42.2km) in a leprechaun suit
on September 20. My time was just over five hours (5.03.30) on a very warm spring day (28 degrees).

All funds raised go to Bears of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support www.bearsofhope.org.au, a cause very close to my heart.  I welcome any contribution, great or small, that you can make!



 
http://parramatta-advertiser.whereilive.com.au/news/story/larry-leprechaun-gives-hope/

 

Unfortunately, my family knows Bears of Hope too well. Our baby girl, ~Sophie Cleo~, was born sleeping on 14 December last year. During that initial tough & traumatic time we were presented with Bluey and support from Bears of Hope. Bluey has been a tower of strength to us ever since.

 
Now just about anyone can shave a head or grow a moustache to raise funds for charity (and good on those that do), but not many are willing to take on a real physical challenge and run 42km!  Then again, it will take a marathon effort to raise much needed funds - but I will – with your help.
 
All donations to this site are electronically wired to Bears Of Hope and a receipt is emailed to you immediately.

Help me make a difference by making a small donation - every little helps.

Thank you for your support!
 
Adrian Raftery, aka Larry Leprechaun
Ph: 1800 829 626 adrian@mrtaxman.com.au 
    Bears Of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support

Bears Of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support is an Australian not-for-profit organisation with a vision to provide leading support and exceptional care for families who experience the loss of their baby. This includes miscarriage, stillbirth, genetic interruption, neonatal and infant loss.

 

The Early Support Program

Bears Of Hope Support Packages are donated to hospitals to support and guide families during their time of loss. They include a bear of hope keepsake, donated in memory of another family's baby to instantly comfort, acknowledge and let them know they are not alone. The invaluable support literature guides families through capturing as many memories before they say goodbye and leave their baby forever. Other keepsakes including a journal, candle, photo frame, forget-me-knot seeds, and "Live Among Angels" song on CD. Bears of Hope aim to comfort, support, inform and empower parents to leave the hospital without having any regrets, and to give them a place to start for support once they leave.

 

The Beyond The Bear Support Program includes:

 

An informative and resourceful website, Parent-led support groups with some faciliated by a psychologist, Online support groups - facebook and yahoo, Community Events - Mother's and Father's Day, City2Surf Fun Run, Annual Charity Ball, October 15 Remembrance Day Memorial, Christmas picnic, Phone and Email Support, Quarterly Newsletters

 

Through the donation of a bear of hope, parents are provided with the comfort of knowing they are not alone from the very beginning and offered significant ongoing support to heal their broken hearts. Bears of Hope is managed solely by a dedicated team of volunteers. Our professionalism and longevity has been built on delivering passionate and active pregnancy & infant loss support, education and awareness, and in strengthening relationships with allied health professionals. Bears Of Hope exists to improve the facilitation of the healing journey for families experiencing a loss.
 
Please visit www.bearsofhope.org.au for more information.

 

FUNDOMETER
TARGET
$15,000.00

RAISED SO FAR
$29,008.00

Donate Now
Adrian qualified for a $ 135.00 rebate but chose to leave it with Bears Of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support to help make a difference.
SUPPORTERS
SUPPORTERSAMOUNTMESSAGE
Ryan Corfield 100.00 
Terry Kennedy 420.00Go Larry
Chris Hughes 190.00LLOA - Well done mate, you've kicked another goal! Chris and Brooke
Michael Doherty 250.00LLOA - Michael Doherty (Ferrari Menswear)
Anonymous 2.00 
Ian Hounslow 200.00LLOA - For those who bear the pain of losing a dear little one like Sophie.
Elizabeth Fitzell 520.00LLOA - Everything you do & say with anyone makes a difference - you are making a difference for SO many
Frank Tierney 105.00 
Anonymous 20.00 
Ricky Hunt 100.00your the legend mate
Laurie Ferguson MP 70.00You are an inspiration to the community - keep up the great work.
Reg, Helen & Jo-Ann Barter 50.00Tiny Teardrops in God's Garden
Stephen Stickney 105.00Love ya brutha!
Debbie Kleu 30.00Well done Larry
Lucas Travieso 50.00 
Tanya & David Vanags 310.00LLOA
john ridley 70.00LLOA well done Adrian
David Barnes 95.00LLOA - Dave Barnes Well done Adrian - tremendous effort.
David Clarke 220.00LLOA - Hi Adrian, this is to pay for the Printing auction bid.
Luke Collins 30.00 
Kathleen Keane 25.00LLOA - payment for auction item
Matthew Cunneen 100.00You are a champion Rafters. Well done mate.
Esther Whitten 30.00LLOA - Well done Adrian
Derek Chen 50.00LLOA - Derek Chen
Liam Tierney 100.00LLOA - Great work Adrian! Bets of luck with the run!!!
john minto 250.00LLAuction
Glen McKernan 100.00 
Matthew Brigham 1150.00LLOA
Nick Thomas 60.00LLOA
Ron Holden 35.00LLOA
Jason Fawcett 310.00LLOA. Payment for Raw Fitness Package for Nicole Askew
Michael Ford 1090.00 
Lawrence Lo Martire 50.00We were so very sorry to hear of your loss Adrian, our deepest sympathy goes to you and your wife. Words really fail me as I can't bring myself to even try to imagine your pain, yours is a story that all of us who have travelled through the 9 months of anticipation (and hormones and nausea) have secretly feared could be ours. May God give you the comfort you need. Hope you survived Sunday, we unfortunately read all of Larry's emails post-run, not annoyed at all (except for having missed the auction) :) Great fundraising according to the fundometer! Well done, Best regards Lawrence & Becky
Fiona Floyd 167.00LLOA Well done!
Marie Fawcett 50.00LLOA
Heritage Brothers Pty Ltd 300.00LLOA $300 has been paid by Heritage Brothers to secure the Ron Barassi signed jumper
AAA Prtbale Grandstand Hire P/L 189.00For Larry; great stuff, boy!
Paul Slavin 180.00LLOA
Rhonda Bloom-Ford 125.00LLOA
Steven McCartney 50.00LLOA
Lynne Merrell 275.00LLOA Great work Adrian. Hope Larry survived yesterday. all, our best to you and Kylie, Lynne and Kevin
Andrew Whitten 106.00LLOA - Toby's Coffee class
Sandra Stevenson 755.00LLOA at front of your message (LLOA = Larry Leprechaun Online Auction).
Tim Bedford 15.00Please ask for the book to be delivered to office between 9.00am and 5pm. Have paid an extra $10 to cover postage. Thanks.
Jennifer Ferraro 25.00LLOA
Menzies Carolyn 50.00Congratulations Adrian from Carolyn and Justin. Hope you got a very cold beer at the end of all that!!
Diana Kniznikov 26.00LLOA
Robyn Tassicker 510.00 
Tony Cocks 60.00LLOA
June Bullivant 20.00LLOA - super stuff
Kim Mattock 50.00Keep going! Drink plenty ... of water of course!
Toni Tattis 60.00LLOA
Mai Raftery 182.00LLOA---Congratulations on a huge effort.May the road rise to meet you and may the wind be at your back.Love you Sunshine
Monica Nerney 50.00Well done Adrian. I have been following your success on Facebook and have so much admiration for you. Keep it up! Great cause and wonderful effort for such a valuable charity. I will be thinking of you on the day! Monica
Michelle Jacobs 36.00LLOA-ANMM family ticket $35 + $1 postage
Holly Russell 30.00LLOA - good luck with the run!!
Fraser Financial Services QLD Pty Ltd 100.00LLOA - Rafters you are amazing!
A Bowles 20.00LLOA
Stuart Finlayson 30.00Larry Leprechaun Onlinefundraiser Awe-inspiring!
Julie Gray 400.00LLOA - Go Go Adrian oops Larry!
Kristofer Rogers 50.00LLOA - Great effort on the auction, you are a truly versatile fundraiser! I know I've said it before, but you're an absolute legend. You've delivered on your promise to Sophie Cleo, you should be a very proud man. Kris & everybody at GoFundraise
Robert Unicomb 200.00LLOA
kelly Cleary 20.00LLOA - $20.00 bIG 4 HOLIDAY PARKS
Dominic Morched 600.00Well done Adrian. Good luck on Sunday!!
Andrew Wawrzyniak 250.00 
Helen Doorey 20.00Good luck Adrian
Natalie Thompson 30.00Adrian, congrats on achieving so much already, I'm sure your resilience and positive approach is inspiring others. Natalie and Justin Thompson
trevor sutton 50.00 
Rose Doolan 100.00Go Larry Go
Anonymous 430.00Profits from Larry's fundraising night on 17 Sept ... excluding net profit from silent auctions. Thank you everyone that attended for your support it was a fun night! Special thanks to Sydney MC & Rick Powell for sonating their time.
Paul Slavin 100.00Best of luck Adrian!
GoFundraise 10.80As an Accountant by day, we know you would appreciate round numbers, we couldn't leave it off-balance! Have a great evening tonight, we hope to see you there. The GoFundraise Team
Katherine Christofis 20.00Good Luck Larry! All for a great cause, every bit helps! Adrian, all the best.
Phillip Corke 20.00Good luck Larry!
Elizabeth Drumm 30.00Well done Adrian on a tremendous fundraising effort and best of luck for Sunday!
Richard Dumas 50.00 
Darryl Nelson 50.00Good luck
stuart spencer 42.00Good luck Adrian!
Carole Love 50.00All the best - Go Larry!!
louisa and andrew byrne 100.00good luck Adrian, from Andy and Louisa Byrne
Joan Sally 50.00All the best, Adrian
Paul Drury 50.00 
RACHEL HENDERSON 50.00 
Tom Roche 100.00 
Stelios Anastasiou 50.00Go Larry Go!!!
Mary Cattell 50.00Dennis and I both wish you well.
Garry Hutchinson 50.00 
Alex Gallard 100.00Good luck on the run. guiness will help keep the fluids up. Alex Gallard
Phill Tritton 300.00Rafters go long go hard well done you a true legend.
Caroline Birch 100.00Best of luck Adrian. Keith and Caroline
GoFundraise 35.00Mr Raftery AKA Fundraising Superstar! How could we resist the donation that would leap frog you in to 2nd place of the GoFundraise Top Fundraisers Hall of Fame... Keep on making a difference, well done with your Auction site too. Lots of respect, Kris & the GoFundraise team
leisa sheffield 100.00 
samantha edmunds 50.00 
shane stanton 22.20 
Phillip Barthel 100.00Best of luck Adrian!
Marion Basil 50.00In memory of our little angel ~Xander Robert Williams~
Howard Young 50.00Well done Rafters!
Sam Ferlauto 250.00Good on you Adrian, Being a new father (just 6 weeks ago) has made me realise how lucky we really are and just the unimaginable thought of what you guy's had to endure has really touched us. We wish you all the best on the run and just remember .... it's hard to be green!
Mick Cleary 30.00we are behind you a 110%
GoFundraise 55.00GREAT WORK MR TAXMAN AKA THE LEPRECHAUN $15,000 REACHED!!! YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL! DON'T STOP NOW, YOU FUNDRAISING SUPER HERO. FROM THE GOFUNDRAISE TEAM.
PT 200.00Good luck Big fella, we'll be thinking of you!
Jo Eckstein 20.00What a worthy cause, but so sorry to hear you had to learn of it firsthand. Good luck!
Michael Gotley 100.00 
Michaeli Gotley 100.00 
Anthony Earp 25.00Good on ya Adrian. Looking forward to hearing how you go. Cheers, Anthony
Ben Benson 250.00 
Mark Spooner 25.00A bit more support for a worthy cause.
Allan & Alexia Scarsbrook 15.00Hope we can all make a difference
Patrick Campbell 100.00Go Adrian.A marathon is impressive, in a leprachaun suit - doubly so.
Darren and Kerrie Smith 100.00Our hearts go out to you and your wife Adrian. We cannot even imagine how you must feel and are glad therefore for such organisations as bears of hope. Wish you good luck for the marathon and for cool weather...definitely want to see some photos since we won't see it on the TV in Dubai.
MULGA GIDGEE PTY LTD 100.00 
Lynn & Grahame Dunnicliff 50.00Go Go Go you big green ratbag, we luv ya
Adib & Laila Faddoul 100.00Go Adrian you big fella. What your doing is great and an inspiration mate. Good luck with that suit...
Anonymous 20.00Good luck.
Katrina Johnson 250.00Adrian, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You're a real inspiration and I wish you all the very best for the marathon! Cheers, Katrina
Steve Manning 30.00All the best you crazy leprechaun!
Anonymous 50.00Adrian, you are an inspiration!
Laurie Hekeik 40.00You are a true Granville legend !!
Alex & Fayzeh Achi 50.00Run for your little angel Adrian.
Anonymous 20.00All the best for your run!
Sophie & Kylie Raftery 250.00You are amazing, you inspire me everyday and I love you with all my heart. I know Sophie Cleo is so proud of her Daddy even if he has to run in a Leprechaun suit to get her attention :) Go Larry!!!
Jerome Ballard 50.00You are an inspiration Adrian I have had the pleasure to meet you on a few occasions now and my very best wishes goes out to you & your family!
Oliver Davis 200.00Goodluck Uncle Adrian xx
Ken Miyashiro 100.00 
ClientComm Pty Ltd 250.00 
Eva & Ian Fogarty 100.00Good luck on the run ... I'm not computer savvy ... Fogarty Plumbing
Anonymous 20.60The little people made me do it.Go Larry
Mai Raftery 207.20What you are doing will not be easy but remember you have 2 Very Special Angels with you on your journey.I am very proud of you and I love you Sunshine. Chookie
Heather Jackson 50.00Good luck, great charity and look forward to seeing the end result.
Daniel & Linda Cobbin 50.00God certainly works in strange ways - Large Leprechaun seeing a similarity! May all the strength be with you on the day and always.
Omega Services 250.00 
Paul Davey 50.00Best of luck from Dublin mate. Good to see Larry is still going strong. Hi to Kylie.
Sam Burke 50.00We love Larry! Go the distance! The Burke Family
Bassam & Adel Faddoul 100.00Good luck Adrian, you're a champion!
Peter Rickett 60.00Thinking alot about your time of pain. Love Always The Rickett Family for the Bears of Hope.
You & Improved PT 30.00Adrian; what a wonderful cause. I wish you the very best on your run. I'll keep and eye out for you, as I'm doing the 1/2 marathon. Go n'éirí an t-ádh leat! A fellow Leprechaun - Sinéad Fitzgerald
Auburn Tennis and Recreation Club 200.00 
Clifford van Vloten 50.00 
Clifford van Vloten 50.00A worthy cause that can find hope for those who lost it.
Bluesheep Pty Ltd 20.00Good cause, good outfit - good luck! Best wishes and God bless you for your good work. Proud to be your fellow Souths sponsor.
Fiona Floyd 50.00Saw your Lansdowne Club email and wanted to share my support. Well done Adrian for doing something positive after such a heartbreaking experience. Go n-eiri an bother leat
AUSTRALIAN STRUCTURAL STEEL PTY LTD 100.00NAME; PAUL FRANCIS GILES
Anonymous 100.00 
Dave Cunningham 100.00Just had first daughter on June 15th - healthy. Cannot imagine the loss....
Fiona Bigelli and David Cade 250.00Go Hard Adrian! Crank it to the finish!
Kathy Halkias 10.00 
Donal Murray 50.00 
Dan Bleakman 20.00Well done mate in that suit at the weekend up at the Hunter, it was warm and you did a great job. I was doing the marathon and passed you a few times wondering what the hell you were doing, and having read your web page think it's great. I'll be pacing the sydney marathon, so hopefully will see you there.
Another Adrian 100.00Good luck in the Marathon Larry! I saw you at the start of the Hunter Half and I hope to see you under the Harbour Bridge on September the 20th. I'm sure you'll be there, but just hope I will.
Andigone Aguilar 100.00Adrian/Kylie-You guys are doing awesome stuff, we are grateful to be able to contribute to this worthy cause! We'll be looking out for you on TV. Take care, Andigone/Rod & Family...
Katie Weir 30.00Go my big Green Friend!!!!!!
Linda Hedges 100.00Go Adrian
Helen & Brad Davis 20.00Go Longshanks!
Anonymous 20.00 
Cliff Duffy 20.00Do I need to buy a 6 hour tape to watch you finish the marathon?
Daniel Chance 30.00Ha, This will be funny
Anonymous 50.00Good luck! I hope that happy green fabric is breathable.
Donald O'Dwyer 200.00Good luck Adrian. You're some man for one man!
Damien Murphy 1000.00Go the Irish!
Shane Tadros 50.00All the best for this great cause.
steve & siri stickney 100.00Hmmm ... 3 wishes: Goannas to win a flag, Eels to bag another comp, and the awesome Top Dogs to play at the Opera House. Onya Rafters!
Sam and Yvonne Chemali 20.00Go get em Adrian!
David Croswell 100.00Good luck Adrian.
Warren Pepper 500.00ALl the best to the world's biggest/largest leprechaun! Keep up the good work mate - you are a champion! Pepper Steak!!
Van Le 100.00See you at the end, what? 42kms? .... hmmm let me know if you need a lift ;)
Simon & Nikki Pitkethley 100.00Go Adrian! So sorry for you loss, love the fact that the Bears of Hope obviously made such an impact on you that you felt the need to run a crazy race dressed as a Leprechaun. Much love from all the Pitkethleys
SJE CONSULTING 500.00Good luck Rafters, look forward to seeing the photos.
Diana Benk 250.00Good luck - a wonderful cause
Craig Swadel 50.00Go Rafters! You good thing
Anonymous 50.00GOOD LUCK
Anonymous 50.00I'd like to see seven sons of Abraham (Goannas 1990 premiers) donate to this worthy cause and challenge. 'Go Rafters'
Samantha Deppi 100.00Good luck Adrian, I'm right behind the cause. This donation is in memory of my three little babies and for dear little Sophie. They are all so very special.
DAVID RAWLINGS 100.00Good luck Adrian. Great cause.
Jo and Gordon Flynn 100.00 
alan lydell 30.00good luck tony
Tim Bylsma 50.00Good luck Rafters
Kirstie Heath 20.00Do your best...that is the best anyone can do
Greg Makkinga 100.00Good luck and all the best on the big day.
Derek Chen 100.00Go you good thing!!
tony and sue ireland 30.00 
Tanya & Philip Munns 50.00Good Luck!
Adrian Travieso 30.00Good luck mate
Ian Greig 50.00We admire your strength and the spirit that drives you...
shane stanton 20.00 
GoFundraise 10.00Adrian, on behalf of everyone at GoFundraise, please accept this small donation as a congratulations for your incredible and inspiring challenge. We will feature you as our 'pick of the week' shortly, in the hope it will help you reach your target, and beyond! Good luck, and thank you for making a difference. Kris & the GoFundraise team. xxx
Ali Dredge 10.00I can't even imagine the sense of loss you must have felt last year. I think this is such an amazing way to redirect your grief - such a positive force. Good luck!
Andrew Baker 100.00Go Adrian!!!
Torque Trading 300.00Good luck from all the guys at Torque.
Kerry Slape 50.00Well done and all the best Rafters.
camilla de almeida 50.00Go the Leprechaun!!!!
John Suraci 50.00It is a great cause Adrian, but you can do the running for me....I'm sure you'll have a few ale's after the run...Hic!
Anne Doran 50.00 
Tony & Janine Adams 200.00Well done on your fundraising so far Adrian and good luck in the marathon!
Desiree Pascale 50.00Go, go, go Adrian!
david spotswood 50.00who da man?
Galvin Belk 250.00Go adrian, its great to see people with so much passion for something they beleive in, good on you.
Kevin McGurk 30.00Good luck running in that outfit - will keep an eye out for you on the back page of the Sunday papers
Michael Clark 42.20I will give you a dollar for every km you run in that ridiculous costume.
Paul McIntyre 50.00Enjoy the jog! Best of luck from Paul and Phoebe
marie fawcett 50.00Go you good thing!!
Anonymous 50.00Good luck, Adrian.
Paul Newbury 100.00Go Rafters! Heading off to Ireland myself in a few weeks for work so always happy to support the 7 foot leprechaun. Good luck mate. Newbs
Rams Gounder 100.00Good Luck Adrian
Light Horse Hotel Pty Ltd 100.00 
Michael Byers 100.00 
Dovinat Pty Ltd 250.00 
Aimee Vella 20.00Go for gold!
Smitten With Style 50.00Good on you Adrian and really really hope you reach your cause, I will let everyone know. Cheers Wendy Mak
Mark Spooner 50.00Good luck Adrian! What a worthy cause, I am honoured to be able to contribute.
Nikau Carlson 20.00Wishing you the best!
Katrin Sigmund 30.00what a great initiative. I will see you at the run.
Raymol Ortiz 30.00 
Patricia Russell 30.00I must admit you do have some crazy hair brain ideas - running as a leprechaun, too funny! Good luck, keep us updated!
James Wadley 20.00Great to see you've found an activity where you can utilize your personal wardrobe. Best of luck to you Adrian! James
Bob Crawford 20.00Hi Adrian - go for it.
SysAdm Pty Ltd 100.00 
Lucas Travieso 50.00We lost our baby in June 1975 and she is with us even today, we wish you the best.
Hugh Weerawardane 10.00 
Pam Kimble 50.00Go Adrian! Its a wonderful cause and I wish you all the best for the marathon.
Michelle Stone 100.00Good luck Adrian, May the force be with you!!
Catalin Anastase 30.00 
Noreen McErlain 20.00Go n'eirig an bothar leat!
Chris Heather 250.00 
So What Research 250.00Best wishes Adrian, and congratulations for this huge initiative.
mark hayler 50.00how many km's can you do a cheeky hoppity, skipity, jumping dance of the little Irish fella? Grand stuff Mr R...to be sure, Mark
Mel Rennie 100.00Adrian, best of luck for meeting your target the hugest hugs to you and your wife kidn regards, Mel, Lee and Jackson Rennie
Gillian McGurk 50.00Watch out - this could be the start of a lifelong running addiction!
Phil Crowell 30.00Go you big...er...little guy?? Good luck - I hope you find your rainbow.
Christine O'Hara 30.00Good luck Adrian! We'll be looking out for you!
aldo matrone 100.00fantastic cause...well done on raising its profile
Trent Collins 30.00Bloody well done mate. Hope you smash the $15k mark.
Tim Bedford 50.00Adrian - good luck, assume you can walk part of the 42kms?
Kim Baird 100.00You are an inspirational guy Adrian ! Am sure you will meet your target !
Michelle Sherring 50.00 
Willie Peters 20.00 
Willie Peters 30.00Supporting a very worthwhile cause driven by a champion guy
Helen Sanderson 40.00My heart goes out to you and your wife, Adrian. Your story brought a huge lump to my throat. My son Ryan was born sleeping, but over 30 years ago and no help or counselling for parents then. What a marvellous cause. Good luck, and may you exceed your fundraising target for Bears of Hope. PS All the best on the run and stay hydrated!!
Rhonda Sciacca 50.00Go Adrian. I've done a couple of marathons myself and know the effort involved - but there's lots of fun to be had too. Good luck.
Julie Gray 250.00With you in spirit Adrian - good luck!
vanja van der sande 30.00Wow, what a great cause, goodluck !! x Vanya
brett harrington 30.00Good luck mate!!
Decoglaze Pty Ltd 1000.00All the best from all the team at Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks. Go Adrian ... you are a fool running in that hot outfit! Hope its 35 degree heat on the day & you sweat like crazy!! www.decoglaze.com
Adrian Raftery 1000.00Bears of Hope need help to raise funds for their program - these funds will go towards placing an order for 1,000 bears. After the positive impact that Bluey made to our lives, we want to help other families during their tough times as well. Did you know that in Australia, one in four pregnancies ends in loss and that over 2,000 babies born sleeping each year?