Return of the Three Angels 5k
SAVE the date! The Three Angels 5k is returning to Ballycommon on Sunday, May 25.
For those that don't know the history of this 5k, it is an annual event organised by local couple Fergal and Trish O’Shea, who have so far raised over €35,500 in memory of their triplet children, who, had they survived, would be 22 years old this June. Angel was stillborn, Jessie survived only a few hours, while Baby Nikki survived nine days.
The O’Sheas have honoured the memory of their triplets in lots of different ways, donating the money raised in their names to several great charities including A Little Lifetime & Limerick Neonatal Unit, Ronald McDonald House, Crumlin children’s hospital and Dip in the Nip (with huge help in 2022 from local kids Gráinne Beattie and Penny O’Brien).
Last year, the funds raised from the Three Angels 5k went to the O’Sheas’ local soccer club Knigh Utd - which they are going to help out again this year – as well as Ronald McDonald house, which looks after the parents of children who spend time in Crumlin hospital, like their Nikki did.
SOCCER MY SAVIOUR
“Anyone that knows me well knows that soccer was my saviour all those years ago when we lost the three girls,” commented Trish, who formed and played soccer for the Nenagh ladies team for many years. She then got involved with Knigh Utd when the club formed in 2013. Knigh now has over 250 kids registered, made up of boys and girls aged 5 to 17 years from the surrounding areas.
“We have some of the best soccer players, some who moved on to greener fields and are making a name for themselves,” said Trish. “We have fantastic coaches and mentors and a great committee.
“We have a temporary home in Knigh but every year we know we need to put down our roots as the club grows. This year we made the big move to sow and plan a new training/U12 pitch over there. Huge progress has been made but we are still a long way off, so we'd appreciate all your help.
“So, I'm asking you – ‘will you help us help our kids play?’ Because we all know how valuable sport is for kids, any sport.”
Trish and Fergal had three other children – Charlie, was who born before the triplets, and Callum and Josh, who followed after them - all of whom played soccer for Knigh over the years. “They loved their time with the club and I'd imagine the three in Heaven might know how to kick a ball too,” Trish commented.
CHILDREN WITH LIFE-LIMITING CONDITIONS
This year’s Three Angels 5k will also support the wonderful LauraLynn Foundation, which was formed by Brendan and Jane McKenna in memory of their daughters Laura (4) and Lynn (15). The foundation provides specialist palliative and supportive care services to meet the needs of children with life-limiting conditions and their families in Ireland.
“When Baby Nikki was born, she went through a series of operations and procedures to try to save her,” Trish recalled of her infant daughter. “She was born with a hole in her heart and had severe cysts on her brain.
“We were told when she was a week old that she would most probably never walk, talk or fend for herself, if she survived. While we know how lucky we were to have her for 11 days, we also know the huge task that was ahead for us if she had survived.
“She decided herself on July 9 to close her eyes and join her two sisters, who had gone to Heaven on June 28.
“So, this is why we picked LauraLynn to fundraise for, as they are helping families every day with children with very tough special needs.”
EVENT DETAILS
The Three Angels 5k will take place from 3pm on Sunday, May 25. Registration will be a the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Ballycommon. You can walk, jog or crawl around the roads and bends, and come back for refreshments and a raffle in the hall afterwards.
Donations can be made on the day, and for anyone who would like to donate but can’t make the event, a GoFundMe web page has been set up – ‘3 Angels 5k Road run in aid of Knigh utd & Laura Lynn’.