WELL known Letterkenny man Davy Cowan will be leading a sponsored walk
between Galway and Letterkenny in March to raise money for the
Oncology and Neo Natal wards at Letterkenny University Hospital.
Davy, who works in Optum Ireland, has been joined by a small group of
work colleagues to raise money for two causes which are close to his
heart.
A talented sportsman in his youth, Davy played senior hockey with
Raphoe and football with Letterkenny Rovers after a spell in the
League of Ireland with Athlone Town.
Planning, preparation and training is now well underway to allow Davy
to achieve his goal within a time-frame of one week.
The walk gets underway from Galway city (Eyre Square) on Sunday, March
29 and finishes at the Port Road roundabout, Letterkenny, the
following Sunday.
“I’ll ride into Letterkenny on Psalm Sunday without the donkey! That’s
the plan and anyone who wants to join in is more than welcome,” he
quipped.
Work colleagues Susan Flinter, Jimmy McCarthy, Moira Doherty, Pauline
Coll and David Carroll are all onboard as is Mark McFadden, Estates
Manager, Optum.
“Unfortunately, almost everyone knows a family member who has been
affected by cancer and needs the help and support of the staff from
the Oncology ward while Mark’s twin boys received great help and
support from the Neo Natal ward in Letterkenny.
“I’m due to retire in April and I’ve always wanted to do something for
charity.
“Those two wards are close to my heart and it’s helping to get me fit
so it’s a win-win.
“I’ve always been into sport and I’m hoping that some former team-
mates and opponents will come on board and help out,” he said.
Mark McFadden explained that identical twin sons, Caiden and Cian,
spent the first few months of their young lives in hospital.
“The boys were two earlier this month and I’m hoping to strap them
into a buggy and walk part of the journey with Davy when he nears
Letterkenny. Due to complications, my wife Tresa gave birth ten weeks
early and the boys spent five weeks in the Neo Natal Intensive Care
Unit at Holles Street Children’s Hospital before being transferred to
Letterkenny where they spent a further three weeks.
“It’s only then that you really realise the important work that the
nurses and staff do at Letterkenny and I’m delighted that Davy has
decided to include Letterkenny’s Neo Natal ward in his plans,” Mark
McFadden said.
Davy’s wife Joan, son Keith, a PE teacher at Coláiste Ailigh, and
daughter Cathy, who works in PR and Marketing, are busy finalising the
route and B&Bs along the way.
“We’re hoping to gather about €15,000,” Davy said.
Former work colleagues at Unifi Textured Yarns – where Davy spent more
than twenty-five years – have also joined in the fund-raising effort.
As part of the fund-raising effort there will be a quiz night at The
Fort Bar, An Grianan Hotel, Burt, on Thursday next, February 6th, at
9pm.
Davy’s sister, Margaret McNutt, has also organised a flower
demonstration at the same venue for Wednesday, March 25 at 7.30pm.
Davy is now encouraging the local community (and their dogs) to walk
with him and the team in solidarity and friendship any time between
Sunday, March 29 and Sunday, April 5.
Further details can be found on Davy’s Go Fund Me page https://ie.gofundme.com/f/galw
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