Late Athlone soldier's family and friends take on Dóchas Abseil Challenge

The memory of a 23-year old Midlands soldier who served as a gunner with the 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment of the Irish Defence Forces in Custume Barracks, Athlone will be kept very much alive next weekend when a nine-strong group of his family and friends take on the Dóchas Abseil Challenge in Croke Park to raise funds for Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group.

The Tullamore-based cancer support charity was very dear to the heart of brave soldier, Sam Hayden Kilroe, who passed away from a rare form of cancer on November 20, 2022, just three weeks after he had organised and attended a hugely-successfull Halloween fundraiser for Dóchas. The charity has provided invaluable support to Sam and his family throughout his illness.

Sam's loving family has continued to host an annual Halloween fundraiser for Dóchas to honour his memory and, as they put the finishing touches to this year's event, they decided to go one step further to honour the memory of their much-cherished son by enrolling for the Croke Park Abseil Challenge!

The nine-strong group who will take to the roof of Croke Park for the Dóchas Abseil Challenge on Saturday next, October 19 include Sam's mom, Hilary Hayden; his brothers Ross and Matthew; sister Sophie; his cousin Jack English; Steve Connolly (Sophie's boyfriend); Paulina Auksoriute (Matthew's girlfriend) and family members Brian and Kate Malone.

Saturday's fundraiser will have twin aims as it will act as a fundraiser for the family's abseiling effort and also the annual Halloween fundraiser in memory of Sam, with all funds from both events going directly to Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group.

Despite his untimely passing at such a young age, Sam Hayden Kilroe left behind “a legacy of bravery and perseverance that continues to inspire us all” says his mother, Hilary, who added that the family are “proud to carry on his noble efforts” as a tribute to his memory, and are hoping that the local community will support their abseil challenge and Halloween fundraiser to raise funds for Dóchas.

Sam attended Ballinamere National School and Killina Presentation Secondary School in Rahan, before fulfilling his lifelong wish to join the Defence Forces in 2019. He was a gunner in Athlone with the 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Hayden family and friends Dóchas Abseil Challenge and the Halloween fundraiser memorial night (the date for which is currently being finalised) can do so here