'Marathon is nothing compared to kidney op heroes'

Charity run to honour brave wife Niamh & saviour Lindsay

- BY KEITH FALKINER

WHEN plumber Stephen Rubotham signed up to raise funds for the Irish Kidney Association in his first ever marathon this bank holiday weekend, it wasn't for the medal or the milestone.

He's running the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in honour of his wife Niamh McCabe, who has kidney disease, and the woman who gave her the ultimate gift, her best friend Lindsay Daly, who donated a kidney in a life transforming transplant on September 8 this year.

Niamh and Lindsay, 37, now living in Lucan, Co Dublin, share an incredible bond, having been inseparable since junior infants at Scoil Mochua in Celbridge, Co Kildare.

Niamh, 36, went into end stage kidney failure in 2024, caused by polycystic kidney disease, which is a hereditary condition that has affected several members of her extended family, including aunts, uncles, and her late father John.