St John’s Volunteers taking on 100-hour fundraiser
TEAM players have had to ditch the pitch during lockdown, but are now going on a solo run to raise vital funds for a local cause.
The St John’s Volunteers 100 Hour Relay for Wexford General Hospital will see footballers overcome social distancing rules by completing a running slot individually, before passing the ‘virtual baton’ on to the next person.
All funds raised from the bumper marathon will go to the Diabetes Unit at the hospital.
This is a cause close to club stalwart Aaron Golden’s heart, as his son Colm (8) was diagnosed with the illness four years ago.
Football is a family affair for adult player and underage coach Aaron and his wife Tina, who is also a member of the club’s executive committee.
Tina described how grateful they are to all of the members who are putting their best foot forward for this crucial health service.
The mother-of-three said: ‘Colm was diagnosed in January 2016. He was four years old and had only just started the nursey with St John’s Volunteers.
‘After a trip to his GP, she noticed the signs straight away and said he was very unwell, he was sent to hospital.
‘From there, doctors confirmed Type One Diabetes and Colm was admitted and insulin therapy started straight away,’ said Tina.
‘Our lives were turned upside down we had to try explain to our four-year-old son that he now needed up to take four injections every day to start off with and every time he put any food to his mouth would first have to get an injection.
‘He struggled in hospital and just wanted to get home to his brother Kevin and back to school with friends in the Mercy School.’
Tina continued: ‘We have a lot to thank Wexford General’s diabetes nurse Deirdre Bowers for. She helped us cope as a family when things were dark.
‘She assured Colm that he will be back with the Vols in no time and she became not only Colm’s diabetes nurse, but his angel and a true friend to him.
‘To this day she has been there for Colm and us as a family for support and guidance and even as a shoulder to cry on.’
The diabetes unit offers lots of educational courses for the kids to attend. It also organises group outings with the diabetic kids to allow them to get to know each other and help each other cope with their diagnosis.
‘The unit has been fundraising to have a psychologist on site so that when kids there is support there for them,’ said Tina.
‘Deirdre walked Colm through the doors of the Mercy School on his first day back and educated the kids around Colm about diabetes and how to help him.
‘Colm soon returned to St John’s Volunteers GAA and he was greeted with a smile and a laugh as always from his coach, Peter McGuire.’
Peter’s own family is steeped in the club and his sons Aaron and Ian McGuire are helping to organise this important fundraiser. They also erected a sign at the hospital’s entrance to send a message of thanks to all frontline health care workers for their dedication during the Covid-19 crisis.
Relay organiser Eoin McCarthy explained how the event will work.
‘The relay will run over the June bank holiday weekend, from Thursday, May 28, until Monday, June 1.
‘We will broadcast it live on our social media platforms.’
People can donate on GoFundMe.com by searching for ‘Volunteers GAA 100 Hour Relay for WGH’.