How it started
The Iron Legs fundraiser is a charitable organisation which started when Irani Nunes lost her legs in 2022 via amputation after a battle with acute thrombosis.
Her son, tradesman Marcus Nunes Filho, will be running a marathon to raise money as part of the Iron Legs fundraising campaign.
“Irani has always been a bubbly and hard-working woman; she spent most of her life working on her feet doing arduous, laborious work to raise her children. Unfortunately, she had to undertake a double leg amputation due to acute thrombosis at only the age of 55.”
Tradesman Marcus shared with On The Tools about how Irani’s sudden operation began to take a toll on his mental health:
“I tried to commit suicide on-site a year and a half ago, but someone stopped me. Now, a year and a half later, I decided to fight for my mental health and fight for my mum.”
– Marcus Nunes Filho
And it wasn’t just his mental health that needed some TLC… Marcus considered himself to be physically unfit before beginning running, and recognised that training for the marathons would not be an easy feat. He explained on his GoFundMe page:
“This will be a massive challenge because of the fact that I weigh 18 stone, but with your help and support, we can do this together.”
How it’s going
“I have been training on-site to get fit for the marathons… I’ve just done a half marathon at Littledown and soon I will be running a full marathon: the New Forest Marathon!”
– Marcus Nunes Filho
The New Forest Marathon 2022 will be taking place at the New Park Showground, in Brockenhurst, Hampshire on Sunday 11th September from 7 AM to 5 PM. It’s an opportunity for anyone to come along and try their hand (or their legs!) at running any distance they can, from junior races all the way up to full marathons. Just like Marcus, many use the New Forest Marathon as a platform to raise funds and awareness for the people who really need it.
All the money raised from Marcus’ efforts, including donations from the GoFundMe page, will go straight to maintaining Irani’s healthcare following her double amputation. This will include another specialist surgery to address the nerve-end pain she developed after the original operation, as well as physiotherapy appointments and prosthetic limbs. At the beginning of July, Irani was rushed back into hospital for a split leg, which will require immediate specialist surgery, as well.
“Her only goal is to get back on her feet and live an everyday life as much as possible, enjoying her grandchildren and going for a walk- earning back her pride and independence.”
What’s next?
Following the New Forest Marathon, UK housebuilding company Vistry Group will be organising a charity event for Irani on the 2nd of August alongside PAPYRUS: a charity organisation to support young people who are struggling with suicidal ideations. Find out more about their partnership here.
To further support Marcus’s fundraising efforts, visit the Iron Legs GoFundMe page here or check out his YouTube channel here.
