Eight-year-old girl to scale mountain in aid of two Roscommon brothers
Eight-year-old Marilou from Galway preparing to climb Croagh Patrick.
They say heroes come in all sizes, and eight-year-old Marilou from Galway is proving it. On Saturday, May 16th, Marilou will take on the grueling ascent of Croagh Patrick, fueled not by personal obligation, but by pure compassion for two boys she is determined to help: George and Isaac Naughton. Marilou is DETERMEND to END Duchenne.
After learning about the Join Our Boys Trust and the brothers' brave fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a catastrophic muscle-wasting disease, Marilou felt a call to action. Inspired by the fundraising efforts of her own brother and sister, she decided she couldn't sit on the sidelines. She wanted to do something big—something "mountain-sized"—to support George and Isaac in their search for life-saving treatment.
Training with Heart Marilou has already raised a staggering €1,400 through her own initiative, but she isn’t stopping there. To prepare for the steep shale of "The Reek," she has been training rigorously across the Burren and the 12 O’Clock Hills. For Marilou, every practice hike is a reminder of why she started: to ensure George and Isaac have the best possible future.
"Marilou’s selflessness is what makes this story so special," says a spokesperson for DETERMEND, the community-driven platform supporting her. "She isn’t doing this because she has to; she’s doing it because she cares. At just eight years old, she’s showing us all what it means to be a true neighbor and a champion for others."
A Fight for Every Breath Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a progressive muscle-wasting disease that tragically claimed the life of George and Isaac’s older brother, Archie, in 2022. By climbing Croagh Patrick, Marilou is raising both funds and vital awareness for the Trust's mission to provide boys with specialised care and treatments.
How the Public Can Support Marilou DETERMEND is calling on people to back Marilou’s "Climb for the Boys." Every donation and share brings more hope to a family facing an unimaginable challenge.
Marilou’s fundraiser can be found at DETERMEND Campaign Page; DETERMEND x Join Our Boys Official Website or @determend_ on Instagram.
and Join Our Boys Trust Official Website or @joinourboys_ on Instagram.
