‘Mam was a leader, a great supporter of ours and others’
"Please get in gear and rev your engines in memory or our mother and for all those you know or have loved who have sadly lost their lives to cancer."
That's the poignant message from teenage brothers from Moore parish who have organised a pre-Christmas virtual tractor, truck and car run in memory of their mother who sadly passed away in early October after a very short cancer illness.
Martin and Shane Glennon, aged 17 and 15 respectively, will remember their beloved mother Cathy on December 13 with the fundraiser for The Irish Cancer Society, Galway Hospice, and Mayo/Roscommon Hospice.
Both students of Garbally College, Ballinasloe, the brothers are fifth generation farmers in Camcloon, Ballydangan on a mixed farm with suckler cows and breeding sheep.
They take great pride in their prize-winning MARSHA Simmentals.
"We have enjoyed farming with dad and mam from a young age,” the brothers said ahead of the fundraiser.
“In 2011, we went to our first show, it was the winter fair at Carrick-on-Shannon, we won an All-Ireland Yearling Simmental Championship and she went on to win Reserve Simmental Champion. We have won numerous more shows since."
In October, Martin won the Simmental Cross Maiden Heifer Champion virtual show, a prize his family is very proud of.
Therefore, it was instinctive for the boys to react to their loss by organising this virtual fundraiser as their mother was always on hand to help out with all community organisations and initiatives.
Cathy and their dad Mike have been well known for their community involvement in the local community down through the years.
"Mam was a 'go-to' person, a leader, and a great supporter of ours and others. Mam and Dad instilled great values in us and we are extremely proud of her," the young brothers said.
Hugely well known in GAA and local soccer circles, Cathy was the proud owner of an All-Ireland football medal she won with Galway in 1992.
In 2006, she won her first county camogie medal for Padraig Pearses and in 2018, she went back to win her next at the age of 50!
Caring and hardworking, Cathy enjoyed family and farming life and sport. She coached and encouraged many along the way as an underage coach for local soccer club Moore Utd and as an underage hurling coach for Padraig Pearses.
“Even though there is a Covid pandemic, cancer is still knocking on doors. This time last year Dad had a tumour and subsequently had his eye removed. We are grateful for the help he received," Martin and Shane said, appealing for people to get involved in their campaign called Driving on for Cathy.
You can do so by taking a picture/video of your tractor/truck/car run or get the kids involved with their tractor ride-ons or toy tractors before 5pm on Sunday, December 13, and post it to the Facebook group Driving on for Cathy or email drivingonforcathy@gmail.com or WhatsApp it to 083 8153420. The brothers will then compile a virtual tractor run video.
Once posted, people are invited to make a donation to the GoFundMe page https://gf.me/u/zagty3 which has already raised €8,630 for the three charities - The Irish Cancer Society, Galway Hospice and Mayo/Roscommon Hospice.
There will be a spot prize draw for all who post their pictures/footage.
Ladies are invited to take part in our 'Women drive tractors too' competition. All ladies are encouraged to post their tractor pics/videos too. There will be spot prizes.
Driving on for Cathy is driving on for cancer, the brothers said, encouraging people to rev up and start their engines for three great causes.
Martin and Shane also thanked all who have donated to date.
Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, praised the brothers for organising the upcoming fundraiser on December 13.
“We are so grateful to Martin and Shane for organising this event and choosing us as one of the beneficiaries. For two young men to find the strength to arrange such a fundraiser, so soon after their mum Cathy’s passing, is testament to their kindness and is a part of their mum’s legacy.”
“The funds raised will help so many people avail of our community palliative care services and we are also just months away from completing the build of our Roscommon Hospice, which again will be a facility for everyone in the area.
“The entire €6m cost of the build is coming from fundraised income and couldn’t happen without events like ‘Driving on for Cathy,’” she commented.
She said they are “eternally grateful” to everyone in the local community who has gotten behind this fundraiser and we know that it has taken a lot of work to get it to this point.