Running a lap for Milford

By Anna Powell

Three brothers from Cloughjordan, Mark, Paul and Eoin O’Neill have decided to run a lap of all 72 clubs in Tipperary in memory of their late mother, Margaret O’Neill and to raise funds for Milford Care Centre.

The fundraiser, which will span from October 23 to 25, has already garnered a significant response online, with over €24,000 raised for Milford Hospice on the brothers fundraising page.

Speaking to the Nenagh Guardian, Mark O’Neill, the eldest at 26, expressed his gratitude for how people have supported the announcement of their fundraiser so far.

“We’ve had so many messages and phone calls of support. People are really getting behind us,” he expressed.

In Honour of their mum

Last year, Margaret O’Neill spent 24 days in Milford Care Centre. The care the O’Neill family were shown throughout this time had a lasting impact on their family.

“It was in the hospice that we saw first hand the sheer generosity and the human side of people. We really felt at home when we were in there,” reflected Mark on the family’s experience of Milford Care Centre.

“You have a lot of people giving up their time to be there for you which was really overwhelming,” he said. “It really became a home away from home,”

The care Margaret and her family were shown throughout this time, inspired the O’Neill brothers to take on a challenge to raise funds for the hospice.

“It’s nearly all charity based to run Milford Hospice. So, we said, we will do what we can, because there was definitely no money spared on any patient in there as far as I can see,” reflected Mark.

By the end of October, the O’Neill brothers will have taken on a fundraiser in honour of their dear mum.

“I think she would definitely be proud of us anyway. She was always very proud of her three lads, so I’m sure she would be happy with it. She had great time for Milford so she would be glad we are doing it for them,” expressed Mark.

Over €10K raised in 24 hours

Within 24 hours of the brothers launching their fundraiser on social media, the O’Neill brothers raise over €10,000 for Milford Hospice. Throughout the past week, this number has continued to climb significantly to over €24,000.

On Friday, October 23, the O’Neills will begin their lap of all 72-club pitches in Tipperary which will begin in Killea GAA Club, near Templemore.

“We will finish up then at Kilruane MacDonaghs in Cloughjordan,” outlined Mark, sharing his gratitude for how GAA clubs across the county have reacted to their fundraiser so far.

“We are allowing ourselves about 15 minutes in each field, and then we will move on again,” he explained, highlighting how it is roughly going to be a 29km challenge over a three-day period.

The O’Neill brothers will be releasing details of their journey for those who wish to come out and support them on their social media page (@Runalapformilford)

Grateful for support

The O’Neill brothers would like to express their gratitude for all the support they have received so far for their fundraiser, especially from both sides of their family, the Teehans and the O’Neills. They also expressed their gratitude to their sponsor, Willowbrook Bed & Breakfast and for the support they have received from the GAA community across county.

In a statement to the Nenagh Guardian, the O’Neill brothers thanked those who have donated on behalf of their family and noted that it has been great to see the generosity of people both young and old, near and far.