Carlisle Grounds hosting annual match for Keelan
THE third annual Keelan O’Connor charity football match will take place at Carlisle Grounds in Bray today, Wednesday October 24, at 5 p.m.
A Little Bray community selection will face Bray and Greystones Gardaí in what is expected to be an exceptional battle for this year’s trophy.
Funds raised at the event will be donated to Temple Street ICU and the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Garda John Thompson joined Keelan’s dad Johno and brothers Callum and Kayden to launch the fundraising event.
The match will include a bucket collection and a raffle, with great prizes including a signed Republic of Ireland jersey.
Keelan was just 15 when he tragically lost his life to meningococcal B meningitis (MenB) in September 2015.
He was a great lover of sports, particularly football and boxing.
Since then, his parents Leanne and Johno and all of his friends and family have worked tirelessly, holding numerous events to raise funds in his memory,
They are hoping that people from the local community will come along this evening to remember Keelan, and help two worthy causes.
There are on average 200 cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia- the blood poisoning form of the disease in Ireland every year. Sadly one in 10 of those people who contract the disease will die and one in three survivors will be left with life changing after effects as severe as amputations, brain damage or deafness.
Meningitis Research Foundation funds research into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia and raises awareness of the diseases amongst both the general public and health professionals. The charity also supports families affected and provides a free helpline service.