MAYO AC present cheque for €5,086 to The Family Centre, Castlebar

Mayo AC presentation of cheque for €5,086 proceeds of Foxford 4 miler to the Family Centre Castlebar: front l-r Eimear and Mary Ruane, John Byrne Chairperson Mayo AC, Máire Ní Dhomhnaill and Paula Sheridan The Family Centre, Tom Murphy Pamex Ltd; back row l-r John Jordan Season Master Ltd, Ann McDonnell, Eamonn Joyce, Sarah Byrne, ColetteTuohy (all Mayo AC) and Kate O’Hara, O’Hara’s Bakery. (Absent from photo Donncha Kearney John O’Donnell’s Pharmacy)

On Sunday morning (January 29) Mayo Athletic Club were delighted to present a cheque for €5,086 to The Family Centre, at their offices in Chapel Street Upper, Castlebar.

The cheque was presented by club Chairperson John Byrne to Máire Ní Dhomhnaill, Director The Family Centre.

The cheque was the proceeds of funds raised through the club’s Foxford 4 Miler race, which they organised last September in memory of their friends, Ann Murray and Mickey Ruane.

Ann and Mickey were both members of Mayo AC who sadly passed away in the last few years.

Counselling and bereavement support to the people of Mayo are among the services offered by the Family Centre. The funds raised will help facilitate these resources.

Mayo AC are extremely grateful to their very generous race sponsors: Pamex Ltd Castlebar, John O’Donnell’s Pharmacy Castlebar, Season Master Ltd Straide, O’Hara’s Bakery Foxford and Clive Lavelle Butcher Foxford.

Excellent support from race participants, sponsors and the local community contributed greatly to the success of the fundraising event.

Donncha Kearney says “John O’Donnell’s Pharmacy and the Kearney family have been keen supporters of both the Family Centre and Mayo Athletic Club for many years. We hope to continue that tradition and help out in any way we can going forward for many years to come”.

Patrick Jordan of Season Master Ltd commented “It’s an honour for us to be associated with a great run and worthwhile remembrance event. Family is central to all our lives, and it is important that services such as the Family Centre are available in times of need”.

Cormac Kearney stated “Pamex Ltd are delighted to be part of such a wonderful event in memory of two fantastic ambassadors of athletics. Sport is a wonderful medium for friendship and health, and as a Mayo company we are really proud to be able to support.”

On receiving the donation Máire Ní Dhomhnaill, Director The Family Centre, said “the Centre provides many services including The Mayo Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service. Each year we must fundraise for €60,000 to keep our services going. When a local community carries out a fundraising event on our behalf it brings us many benefits, the money collected and heightened awareness of our services and supports within our county.”

She thanked Mayo AC, sponsors, and all involved in organising the event on behalf of the Family Centre. She gave special mention to the Ruane and Murray families and all those who participated on the day.

She added that this fund will go directly to supporting the clients who need counselling and support and will allow them to provide over 100 hours of therapy.

Speaking at the cheque presentation, John Byrne Club Chairperson, said “Mayo AC are honoured to present the proceeds of our inaugural Foxford 4 Mile event in memory of Michael Ruane and Ann Murray to The Family Centre. The Centre is a fantastic locally based resource, doing very important work with families and individuals – it is a privilege to contribute to a cause so close to all our hearts”.

Presentation: sponsors, Mayo AC and Family Centre l-r John Jordan Season Master Ltd Andrew Hayes, John Byrne, Ann McDonnell, Máire Ní Dhomhnaill The Family Centre, Sarah Byrne, Tom Murphy Pamex Ltd

A Big Thank You to Ann McDonnell for her great help with organising the presentation and compiling this post.