Members of Eadestown GAA Club have decided to undertake The Malin Head to Mizen Head Virtual Relay Challenge.
The aim to walk, run or cycle a total of 612km which is the distance from Malin Head to Mizen Head, this is to support a little man in our GAA family called Ruairi McDonnell. Ruairi currently battles a terminal neurological illness.
“The McDonnell Family are from Clane. Ruairi is a wonderful, caring and fun 6 year old boy. His parents are Martin and Ruth McDonnell. Martin who is originally from Ballycastle, Co. Mayo is a valued member of Rathcoffey GAA and both he and Ruth have many friends and family living in the Rathcoffey/Clane area.
On the 31st October 2019 Ruth & Martin received the devastating news that their beautiful son had been diagnosed with a very rare degenerative and life-limiting neurological condition. This very rare and fatal condition affects 1:20,000 people globally and the disease has been rapid and relentless in its progress over the past 3-4 months. It has already robbed Ruairi of his sight, his ability to speak and much of his cognitive ability. Medical experts in Ireland and abroad have been consulted but sadly there is no medical treatment for this terrible disease. Unfortunately for Ruairi and the McDonnell family, this downward spiral will eventually lead to hearing loss, seizures and loss of muscle control over the next few years.
Prior to his diagnosis Ruairi had been attending school in Clane and was enjoying all the same activities like other boys his age. He loved GAA, especially hurling, riding his bike and playing with his two brothers and many friends. He also loved being outside in the garden, climbing trees and searching for creepy crawlies.
Ruairi can no longer enjoy these activities in the same way he used to, however he remains a very loving and gentle child with a huge zest for life and sense of adventure. However, he now requires 24-hour personal care which is provided by his parents who at the same time are trying to maintain a normal happy home for Ruairi and his brothers. As the disease progresses Ruairi will require full time home nursing and the family home requires significant adaptations to meet his care needs. The care supports provided by the state in this situation are extremely limited.
According to Ruth “Ruairi loved all his superheroes but his absolute favourite is The Hulk” and for this reason they are naming their fundraising appeal, “Roar for Ruairi”. This appeal is to give financial assistance to Martin and Ruth with the ongoing home care costs for Ruairi now and into the future."
The aim of this appeal is for Eadestown GAA to raise €500 in aid of the Roar for Ruairi campaign. Members and friends of the club, in a position to do so, are asked to contribute to helping us reach our target.
Please get behind this campaign and donate whatever you can to a great cause. We would be grateful if you could also share this link with anyone who may be able to support.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/eadestown-gaa-roar-for-ruairi
More information on Ruairi
Twitter: @roar_for_ruairi
Instagram: roarfor_ruairi and eadestown_gaa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roarforruairi/
#RoarForRuairi
