Avoca unites for a very worthy cause
ON a beautiful summer’s Sunday the Avoca community came out in force to run, cycle and walk the roads and trails around Avoca to help raise money for the #DoitforDan national fundraiser.
As well publicised in the media and on last Friday night’s Late Late Show on RTÉ 1, Dan Donoher is a one-year-old suffering like no child should, from a rare muscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) which has a life expectancy of 18-24 months.
Dan requires a cell infusion to allow him the chance to live a normal life.
However, at $2.1 million, it is the most expensive drug in the world and is only available in America.
Dan’s dad Niall plays football with the Courtwood club in Co. Laois and the Avoca full-back Rob Wilson is a former team mate of Niall.
Rob now lives in Avoca and is a key member of the local club along with his inlaws, the Fahy family.
In conjunction with Rob, Courtwood GAA club nominated Avoca GAA club to complete a 400km challenge on Sunday last, May 3, which participants could walk, run or cycle.
Rob and his brother-in-law Mickey Fahy set up a Facebook donation page and pledged to shave their heads if €3,000 was raised.
This target was reached very quickly and the two lads are now sporting clean shaven heads.
Needless to say the fundraiser was not only generously supported by the men and women that play GAA in Avoca but by the community at large and also past captain Brian Canavan in Alberta, Georgia USA.
The final figures on Sunday evening showed that €5,500 was raised and over 1,.150km were covered.
Well done to all the participants and organisers for participating in a great cause.