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US marine runs Belfast marathon for Omagh bomb legal fund
BYJ OHN McCUSKER

A US Marine, touched by the Omagh bomb families' thoughts for Americans in the aftermath of September 11, has run the Belfast marathon to help raise money to fund the relatives' civil action case.
Captain Mike Hudson, 32, raised over £2,000 after completing Monday's marathon on behalf of the Omagh Victims' Legal Fund.
Capt Hudson first visited Omagh in May 2000 as part of a 10 day fact finding tour of the North conducted by Dromore born journalist Peter Kelly who works as a London based correspondent for The Irish World newspaper. The marathon fund-raising event was organised largely through the efforts of Mr Kelly.
Captain Mike Hudson said he wanted to help because the people of Omagh had been the first to offer their sympathy after the September 11 terror attacks in the US.
"There were so many messages of support from the Omagh people and this is one way that I can repay them," he said. "It was in the aftermath of September 11 that I really knew how special they were as they were the first people to get on the phone and show their concern for us.
"When I got home, there were so many messages of support from the Omagh people and this is one way that I can help repay them."
Stationed at Camp Pendleton Marines Base in San Diego, California, Capt Hudson trains new recruits in the Boot Camp division and has trained across the world including Australia and Asia.
A staunch supporter of the peace process, the officer has already raised over $2,000 in the US for the Omagh relatives quest for justice through their civil action against those they believe were behind the 1998 bombing.
Members of the Omagh victims' group travelled to Belfast to support Capt Hudson in his efforts on Monday. Michael Gallagher, who lost his son in the bombing, said: "This is a wonderful gesture by Mike. The money he will raise is coming at a critical time for us and we are extremely grateful to Mike for doing this."
He'said the Omagh victims' group still had to raise half a million pounds to fund their civil action and needed the money by August 15 "so time is of the essence."
Peter Kelly, a politics graduate from Queen's who has worked with The Irish World for two years, said he was delighted that the fundraising project had finally come together.
Following the marathon, Capt Hudson met with families in the Silverbirch Hotel during a short stop over in Omagh.
Meanwhile, Omagh Council Chairman, Pat McDonnell has praised the efforts of Environmental Health Officer Gerry Harte who also raised a substantial sum for charity. "I offer congratulations to Mr Harte on completing what I understand is his third marathon and I would urge his sponsors and the Omagh public generally to contribute generously to this initiative," he added.