Tom’s memory is kept alive through fundraisers
THE family of the late Tom Normanly who sadly lost his battle with cancer almost two years ago recently handed over a cheque for €18,000 to the charity SHOUT who supported Tom greatly during his illness.
Marie, Tom’s wife, said the money will be used to help with the vital frontline services that SHOUT provides for people during their illness and their families.
Tom, from Tourlestrane, was a huge GAA fan and as well as playing for his club in the past, he had also helped out as coach.
The substantial amount of money raised came from three events, the Sea to Summit in Westport, which Tom was an avid fan of, as well as a fundraising coffee morning and bag packing in Surlis’s in Tubbercury.
Marie said herself and their four children, Padraig, Brian, Mariah and Lauren, are really grateful to everyone who supported them and helped out raising money.
She said “Tom passed away in March 2017, he had been sick for 23 months and was 45 when he died.
“During his illness Tom was cared for in Sligo University Hospital and SHOUT were very supportive to us, they were amazing really and then we were thinking of raising money for them. It started with the coffee morning and then we were going to the Sea to Summit.
“Tom had taken part in it over the years and absolutely loved it. Even the year he was sick we still went over and stayed to support his friends.
“So we thought it would be a good way to raise money for SHOUT as they were so good to us.
“Everyone got behind us from the start, it was amazing the response.
“We did bag packing too in Surlis’s and that was a fantastic success as well.
“It really showed that when the chips are down how everyone comes together and the whole community was so good to Tom when he was sick and to ourselves since.
“The minute we mentioned a fundraiser everyone was behind us asking how they could help out and that they would do their best. It was also about keeping Tom’s memory alive.
“People worked so hard to help us get €18,000. I thought in the beginning if we raised €10,000 that we would be happy with that but then when we saw how the coffee morning did and then the sponsorship cards for the Sea to Summit we were blown away with people’s generosity.
“Tom would be so proud. Our two sons Padraig and Brian were old enough to take part in the Sea to Summit this year too.
“Tom did a lot of adventure sports and he really loved cycling with his friends and met great friends through cycling.”
Marie said their two sons are also big into running and cycling with the girls playing GAA.
The Sea to Summit attracted friends from near and far to help with the fundraiser. “People who never ran or cycled before came along and took part in it to raise money.
“We are so thankful to everyone and especially with so many people having so many causes to support it can be hard raising money.
“We are delighted and it helps keep Tom’s memory alive too,” Marie added.
THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WAS SO GOOD TO TOM WHEN HE WAS SICK AND TO OURSELVES SINCE.