A Laois teen has taken on the brave challenge of running 100 miles (161km) in 28 days, as a fundraiser in memory of his well-known father.

Seventeen year old Sean Ward from Portarlington just completed this gruelling challenge in aid of the Mater Hospital, aiming to raise funds for cardiovascular care.

Sean's father Phillip (Chilly) Ward was a popular Portarlington man, well known across Laois' football scene. Chilly sadly passed away in January of 2023.

Pictured: Sean Ward and his father Phillip (Chilly)

"I've just finished the fundraiser now and completed the 100 miles in 28 days," Sean told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"My Mam, sister and I all took part in the challenge with our own fundraisers. Mam has done it for the past three years since my father passed away. He had a heart attack in June of 2022," Sean explained.

"Dad passed from lung disease, but we think the start of it was the heart attack he had. I watched Mam doing the challenge for the last few years and decided to give it a go myself. I play sport and I see a lot of young people in sport around the country having heart issues, so I'd like to help make a difference when it's such a big issue at the minute," he said.

Sean has so far raised €1,770 in his fundraiser, which is still open to donations. He and his family have been lightheartedly competitive in who can raise the most for the charitable cause.

Pictured: The Ward family with their father Phillip (Chilly)

"We didn't do the walking together, I decided that I wanted to run the 100 miles, while Mam walked some parts of it. I set the challenge to only count the amount of running I do. We all helped each other on to complete it. We held eachother accountable and gave each other the motivation we needed," Sean said.

"For me, I never thought 'I have to do another run now when I'm too tired or don't want to', at the start of every run I thought about how lucky I am to be able to go out and run at all," he said.

"My motivation came from thinking about my Dad, and the people who are struggling that could benefit from the funds raised. There are so many people out there struggling that this fundraiser could support who are going through the same thing," Sean explained.

The Ward family Phillip (Chilly), wife Madeline and family Jason, Katie, PJ and Sean have always been close knit. They dearly miss their sadly departed father Chilly. 

"Everyone knew my Dad as Chilly, he's the reason I play football today. He was a very sporty man, a big football head. Anyone around the town who knew about football, knew my Dad," he said.

Pictured: Sean, his mother Madeline and his brother PJ

"The year before he passed he was coaching us with the under 15's, my brother was a selector on it too. None of the hospitals Dad received care in were open to fundraisers at the minute, so I chose the Mater because it was. For me it's about the funds raised going towards heart care, the money will be going towards helping people who are struggling," Sean said.

The Portarlington teen has been blown away by support from people locally in his fundraiser.

"People have been so brilliant, there hasn't been a day since I started that I haven't received a donation. I get at least one donation every day, and anywhere I go I meet people who ask me how the fundraiser is going. Everyone has been great in getting behind us," he said.

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Sean has recently been called up to play for Portarlington's senior team, a move his father would be extremely proud of.

For those who wish to donate towards Sean Ward's fundraiser in aid of the Mater Hospital Foundation, click HERE.