Charity
Little Blue Hero Axel completes Great Limerick Run with support from his family
Axel Horgan is pictured with his mother, Sarah, and being pushed by his godfather, John, and his father, Eddie, beside him every step of the way. Photo via Facebook
Little Blue Hero honorary Garda, Axel Horgan, completes the Great Limerick Run with his father, Eddie, raising funds for Cliona’s Foundation
Little Blue Heroes honorary Garda Axel, aged 4, completed the Great Limerick Run alongside his family in 3 hours and 40 minutes, raisign funds for Limerick-based charity, Cliona’s Foundation.
Axel made the journey from Listowel, Kerry, to take part in the 2026 Regeneron Great Limerick Run and crossed the finish line hand-in-hand with his mother, Sarah, and being pushed by his godfather, John, and his father, Eddie, beside him every step of the way.
The marathon was a fundraising effort set up by Eddie Horgan to help support Cliona’s Foundation, a charity close to the family’s heart. Eddie explained he ran the marathon “for a charity that Axel isn’t a part of but is close to our hearts and we have seen the essential service they provide first-hand, ‘Clionas Foundation’”.
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Completing the marathon just days before his fourth birthday, Axel, who is one of 200 people worldwide living with PROS-CLOVES and Klippel Trenaunay syndrome, was told after his birth that he may never walk.
The said on Instagram following his achievement, “We were told Axel would never walk and likely has 2/3 years to live. Out of pure determination, he walked and then ran! Now he fights so hard to be able to take a step and is re-learning how to walk after breaking his femur! He also turns 4 next week! Yesterday he completed his first full marathon! Life without limits!”
Sharing the joy, Little Blue Heroes said, “Massive congratulations to our incredible Honorary Garda Axel, who completed the Great Limerick Run Marathon in an outstanding time of 3 hours and 40 minutes!
“Axel crossed the finish line in truly special style, being pushed over the line by his Godfather John while proudly holding the hand of his Mom Sarah, alongside his amazing Dad Eddie who completed the marathon with him every step of the way.
“This beautiful moment perfectly captures the love, strength, determination and teamwork that surrounds our Little Blue Heroes families. What an unforgettable achievement for Axel and his family, and an inspiration to so many.”
The family shared on their fundraising page that they wanted to show that “anything is possible” and were “blown away” by the support they received, saying, “During our fundraising for Axel, we were blown away by the generosity of people we knew but also complete strangers so I really want to try give back some of that kindness!”
With a target of €1,500 as of May 12, 2026 the fundraiser remains open with more than €1,300 in donations received. The family also have a GoFundMe page to help with Axel’s fight against Cloves, which has raised more than €74,000.
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