By Dionne Meehan
A MEMORIAL fundraiser set up to mark the first anniversary of a young man from Manorcunningham saw hundreds gather to show their support.
P.J. McGinty was just 19-years-old when he passed away last April.
Remembered as a loveable, outgoing lad with a heart of gold, P.J.’s family planned some very special events to mark his first anniversary.
The first of these events was a memorial diff which took place in Ferry’s Yard on April 28.
Described as being “car crazy” from no age, P.J.’s sister, Sarah Louise McGinty organised this fundraising event to pass on her late brother’s kindness “in the most positive way”.
“P.J. was a normal 19-year-old, a loveable, outgoing lad,” Sarah Louise said.
“He had a heart of gold and he always put other people’s needs before his own.
“He always tried to do his best to help other people in any way he could.
“He was one of the best lads there ever was,” she said.
Blown away by the turnout on the day, Sarah Louise said the event was a “brilliant” success.
“It was jammed from the minute it opened to the minute it closed.
“To me, it was as busy as rally weekend,” she said.
Taking time to thank everyone for their generosity, Sarah Louise said P.J. would have been delighted.
And due to the success of this event, P.J.’s family have organised a further fundraising Karaoke night in the Dry Arch Inn on May 24.
All proceeds raised as a result of these events are being donated to Manor Men’s Shed, the brainchild of Declan Glackin, John Crawford, Paul Doherty and Joe Mulhern.
Finding there wasn’t much to do in the village other than to go for a pint, the four began working on other ways to get men socialising almost one year ago.
And that is when their idea “took wheels”.
Now fully-fledged, the Men’s Shed offers a safe space where members can learn new skills, workout in the gym or even just have a cuppa and a chat!
l If you would like to make a donation to support this very worthy cause you can do so via https://gofund.me/b123189b
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