Every year the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon see so many women wearing t-shirts, and each t-shirt has a story to tell.

The women have a personal connection to the t-shirts they wear, whether it’s supporting a charitable cause or remembering a loved one.

On Weekend Breakfast, we want to hear about and support some of the personal stories behind the t-shirts that women wear at the event, because Every T-Shirt Tells A Story.

Alison Curtis talked to Orla Wallace and her charity Ben For Barretstown.

The Charity is taking part in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon for all the children and families of Barretstown and to celebrate the life of Ben Wallace.

Orla's son Ben was a lovely, kind, positive young man who loved tennis and music and in his 16 years in this world, he enriched the lives of so many.

Ben was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2011 at just 12 years of age. Ben sadly passed away in June 2015, but his family remain deeply connected to him always.

Ben’s family are very passionate about Barretstown as it is an amazing, life-affirming place providing serious fun for children with serious illness.

It’s fitting that their efforts in Ben's name will help Barretstown to bring smiles and laughter to children’s lives, as he brought so much to theirs.

They brought a team of 10 women to the mini marathon in 2017, and increased the group to more than 80 women in 2018! So the sky is the limit for 2019!

Listen back to Alison's chat with Orla here.

"Barretstown just gives you this confidence. I don’t know how they do it, but thats the magical thing about Barretstown. It gives you a piece of yourself back - the piece you lose during your illness" 

Ben Wallace, 2013.