Mitchell campaign was a joy to see fulfilled
WHEN I was contacted last September by Annette O’ Carroll to assist with what was clearly an ambitious but very worthy cause of helping to raise public awareness and hopefully funding for a home so that two sisters with rare medical conditions live independent lives I didn’ t hesitate for a second in saying I’d do what I could.
Annette, a family friend of the Mitchell family who live near Knocknarea, was so enthusiastic about the project and the plea for funding for the family appeared on our front page on September 26 th last (above) and I dearly hoped it would get the reaction it deserved, and it did.
Incredibly, here we are, in the second week of April and the dream of the Mitchell sisters has become a reality.
When I met Mairead and Aoibheann’s parents, Kathleen and Hilary in their home last September they struck me as shy, down to earth people and probably somewhat reluctant to launch such a public fundraising campaign.
Their decency and humility shone through and I was so happy to have been the first to run the story to start off their campaign. Some ¤242,500 was raised within the space of just 12 weeks and this was a testament to the spirit of generosity of their neighbours and friends and the wider Sligo community and beyond. The sisters have a debilitating condition, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and their plea to be able to live independent lives at home struck a cord with many.
The Sligo Champion and I were only too glad to promote the campaign over these past few months and it is heartening to say the least that it had such a successful conclusion.
In many respects this story summed up what local newspapers are about and how they can assist their local communities in achieving good outcomes.
Journalists and newspapers don’t run these stories for thanks, our satisfaction is derived from seeing so many smiling, happy faces like were in evidence last Friday and Saturday at the open day hosted by the Mitchell sisters.
It’s been an incredible journey for the family and one which The Sligo Champion was only too glad to be a small part of.