Eoinie Farrell run/walk raises €70k for local hospice
The family of the late Eoinie Farrell has raised an astonishing €70,040 for South Westmeath Hospice by holding a hugely successful a 5k family fun run/walk in his memory.
The much-loved son of local Fine Gael Cllr Tom and his wife, Goretti, and husband to Eimear (Murphy) passed away in July at just 39 years of age following a brave battle with cancer.
Having received such wonderful care in the South Westmeath Hospice during the final stage of his illness, his extended family decided to organise a fundraiser for the facility which, poignantly, happened within days of what would have been his 40th birthday.
"A huge thank you to all who have supported this most worthy of causes. The level and scale of support by our neighbours, friends and the community, both at home and abroad, has been staggering.
“There are too many to name and we are grateful to everyone who organised and supported the fundraiser,” Eoinie’s family and the family of his wife, Eimear Murphy, said in tribute.
“The Murphy and Farrell families are committed to supporting the South Westmeath Hospice, their dedicated team and their specialist work. The incredible staff and the fantastic purpose-built environment provide a safe, comfortable and loving space both for people’s respite stays and for one of the most profound experiences of life.
The persons’ rooms, the relaxation spaces, the welcoming garden and the family rooms wholeheartedly contribute to this space. The Hospice is such a valuable service and we need both the specialised care and purpose-built space in the community," the family added.
Clare Lennon, Chairperson of South Westmeath Hospice said the committee is "amazed and humbled" by the efforts of the Murphy and Farrell families and indeed the community that got behind them.
"€70,040 is a phenomenal amount of money to raise and is a testament to how loved and valued Eoinie was to his community.
“We are so grateful to his family for choosing our organisation and it will go a long way in delivering Hospice services to the people of Athlone and its environs," Ms Lennon added.
The colossal total was raised from online and offline donations and both families thanked everyone for celebrating and honouring the late Eoinie by supporting the run/walk fundraiser which started close to Ardnagrath NS in November.
Poignantly, the 5km route for the fundraiser took in the home where the late Eoinie Farell grew up in, the home where he lived in with his wife, Eimear, and his old primary school, so it was a deeeply personal and poignant tribute to the Maryland GAA Club player who was instrumental in the club's intermediate championship success in 2008 and went on to serve as a coach and official with the Maryland/Tang underage club in recent years.
The Walderstown native, who worked as an accountant, won a Leinster minor championship medal in 2000 with Westmeath before going on to represent the county at under-21 and senior level.
In more recent years, the late Eoinie served as a selector with the Westmeath minor footballers.