Simmental pedigree breeder Paul McArdle will this year run the London Marathon to raise money for three cancer charities in memory of his late friend and fellow breeder Noel Woods.

By running the marathon, Paul was hoping to raise €10,000. So far, he has raised a massive €13,000, with the marathon date not until 28 April.

Noel Woods passed away on 8 December 2016 at the age of 58. He was a Simmental enthusiast who enjoyed breeding and showing Simmental cattle throughout his life, since establishing his herd in 1989.

Noel’s herd prefix Brookwood is now the backbone of many herds throughout Ireland and the UK. Dermotstown Delboy, Drumlone Anchor and Brookwood Alla King (Cogent) are all bulls with direct Brookwood bloodlines of which semen is available for purchase.

Paul started his Simmental herd in 1999 with the purchase of a heifer from Noel. Since then, McArdle has tried to acquire only the top genetics available to add to his elite Broomfield herd.

Fundraising

As part of the fundraising strategies, Paul and his family organised a coffee morning and have set up an online GoGetFunding donation page called ‘London marathon charity fundraiser’.

Adding to this, Paul has also offered two grade A embryos from his star cow Brookwood Regina to be auctioned at the Simmental society’s premier sale in Roscommon on Saturday 16 March.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Paul said: “Noel was very well thought of both locally and further afield. A testament to that is a recent coffee morning we had that raised a massive €5,500.

The embryos are from a proven-cow crossed with some of the best sires available, so will hopefully raise even more vital funds for the charities.”

Paul McArdle exhibiting at the 2017 Tullamore Show. \ Alfie Shaw

Brookwood Regina was originally bred by Noel and purchased by Paul for €5,000 at five months of age. This cow has left a lasting legacy on the breed, siring numerous champions and reserve.

Some of her most high-profile progeny include two-time overall Simmental champion at Balmoral Dermotstown Delboy, twice national champion Brookwood Fancy Lady and twice national champion Brookfield Girly Gina.

Sire behind the first embryo is either Banwy T-Rex, Anatrim Bodybuilder or Dermody Butcher, while the second embryo could be either Hillcrest Champion or Kilbride Farm Newry.

These matings offer the successful bidder a chance to have a full sibling to the aforementioned champions.

All money raised from the various fundraisers will be split between the Irish Cancer Society, Carrickmacross Cancer Society and Castleblaney Cancer Society.