MAJOR FUNDRAISER IN MEMORY OF SHANE
SEVEN months on from his tragic passing, the absence of Shane Roche still looms large at the North End clubhouse. A true sky-blue, the former North End chairman was a constant presence at their Hollygrove grounds and although the world is a somewhat more chaotic place at the moment, he is still dearly missed by all his friends within the club, as well as his heartbroken family, still coming to terms with his loss.
When thinking of some kind of a potential fundraiser in Shane’s memory, thoughts instantly returned to one of his happiest days - when North End lifted the FAI Junior Cup following a tense final in 2018. His friends and family arrived at the idea of a virtual walk/ run to the Aviva Stadium - a distance of 136km. Participants can download the Nike running app and the goal is to run or walk the 136km distance between June 25 and August 1.
‘There are no times and it’s not a competition,’ said Kyle Dempsey, one of the organisers of the event. ‘We realise that not everyone will reach the 136km and that’s fine too. People can log on and do whatever they can. It’s 136km to the Aviva Stadium from Wexford, so that’s how we came to that figure. When North End reached the cup final, I suppose that was Shane’s greatest sporting day.’
‘The type of fella he was, no job was too big or too small for him around the club. He could be out painting gates, cutting grass, managing the teams, following the first and second team all over the country. A lot of the younger lads in particular really looked up to him and he knew everyone in the club by name. He was just one of the all around good guys.’
Extremely well-known for his work in the community and his work as a bouncer in Maggie May’s, the organisers are hopeful that the people of Wexford will get involved and give what they can. Given the tragic nature of Shane’s passing, the goal is also to promote a positive message for those taking part.
‘We’re doing it for Pieta House and we’re also looking to raise a bit of awareness within the group as well,’ Kyle said. ‘Shane would have helped me over the years with some things and we want to get the message out there that it’s alright for men to actually talk to each other about their problems and remove some of the stigma. The way Shane was, anyone could go to him with their problems, but unfortunately he never opened up and told anyone his problems.’
With Shane’s family and friends all on board with the event, hopes are high that the people of his beloved hometown will get behind the event, raise some much needed funds for a great cause, but also leave a lasting legacy in terms of promoting a positive mental health message for everyone involved. To sign up, visit the ‘Shane’s Return to the Aviva’ Facebook page or to donate, visit everydayhero.