Paul runs for brother Johnny, as global MND campaign comes to Logan Running Festival

A fight to support a Brisbane man’s family, “Johnny’s Girls”, as he faces motor neuron disease has travelled across the world, and now as it comes to Logan, his Irish brother Paul will take the lead in a touching plight.

An Irishman turned Brisbane local has turned his fatal motor neuron disease diagnosis into an incredible fundraising campaign, garnering support from around the globe, in an effort friends and family say has truly blown them away.

In September last year, Johnny McCowen, at age 40, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, an incurable form of motor neurone disease, and started an online campaign to raise money for his wife and two daughters called Fight for Johnny’s Girls.

Fight for Johnny’s Girls has already raised an extraordinary $650,000 to support Johnny’s wife Sherie and daughters Darcie and Riley.

As part of the campaign, brother Paul McCowen flew in to Brisbane from Ireland and will be running a half marathon at Logan’s Running Festival.

Paul McCowen said his passion for running allowed him to give back to his brother in his own special way.

Paul McCowen (left) and brother Johnny McCowen at Johnny and Sherie's wedding in 2018.

“I’ve been running for the last 15 years, I have done a few races for fun and I thought this would be a great way to link my passion to the campaign,” he said.

Paul McCowen said although he was surprised by how much support the campaign has had, his brother had always been a popular, charismatic guy.

“Johnny is a very personable individual, he makes friends easily and he keeps friends. He has maintained a wide network throughout his life.

“When he was diagnosed, friends from Ireland, the United States, Canada all got together to organise the campaign.

“We have been absolutely blown away by the support. It’s one thing when it is friends and acquaintances but when it is people we don’t know at all helping, it really touches us greatly.”

Johnny McCowen was living in Vancouver, Canada at the time of the diagnosis and received a wide array of support from friends around Australia, Ireland and the States.

Fundraising events such as a 24-hour tennis marathon, a mixed martial arts tournament and several golf cups have taken place in locations from New York to Port Arlington.

Paul McCowen (left) and brother Johnny McCowen in London, 2016. Picture: Contributed

One event was a corporate golf tournament, called the Johnny McCowen cup, which took place at the St Lucia golf course on August 25.

The location was special for the McCowen family as it was where Johnny and Sherie tied the knot four years ago.

Although he cannot physically communicate anymore, he worked on a speech for weeks using an eye gaze communication tool, which was read out on the day, to an emotional audience.

Paul’s half marathon is set to take place in the Berrinba Wetlands, Logan this Sunday September 18 early morning.

To read more about Johnny‘s journey, pick up a copy of Qweekend on September 24.