Tipperary players to take on Four Divisions Fundraiser for worthy causes
The 2019 Tipperary hurling panel, supported by past players, will take on one of their most important challenges ever just days out from Christmas as embark on a major fundraiser in aid of the ‘Running for Josie’ project and Amanda Stapleton Benefit Fund.
The entire current squad, plus recently retired players, will take on the Four Divisions Fundraiser – a three-event fundraiser held in Cashel, Clonmel, Nenagh and Tipperary on Saturday, December 22nd.
The players will deliver Christmas early to would-be hurling stars of the future as they give, on a first come first serve basis, a dedicated training session to U-12 players from clubs across the divisions.
A Family Fun day will also be put on at the four individual centres on the same day, while the players themselves will also, in relays, cycle the equivalent distance from Malin Head to Mizen on exercise bikes in the town centres.
The significant commitment just three days out from Christmas and is, organising committee member Noel McGrath says, the least that they could do for two charities that they have a special connection with.
“The Amanda Stapleton Benefit and Running for Josie project are charities extremely close to our hearts. Paddy Stapleton is, of course, Amanda’s brother and Seamus is Josie’s son. Both of those guys were integral to what we achieved as a team back in 2010 and when you achieve something like that with a bunch of guys, there’s a tie that never breaks.
“When we regrouped as a squad, Liam Sheedy asked us if there was something we wanted to do off the pitch, as it were, and there was no doubt on anyone’s minds but it was to try and raise funds for these two charities,” said Noel.
McGrath said that the courage shown by Amanda and Seamus is humbling. “Amanda is incredibly brave, much braver than any of us could ever be, and we just want to try and do our bit for her, to walk with her some part of the journey and raise some funds. We’re in awe of her courage really and Paddy and his family are part and parcel of what we are.
“Seamus, on the other hand, is doing something completely out of the ordinary to raise money and awareness for one of the great issues that faces Irish people today, mental health. He lost his own mother to it and none of us can really understand what that could have meant to him but it’s typical of Seamus, one of the most determined guys I’ve ever known, to take on a challenge like running a marathon on the Antartic. His goal is to raise €200,000 to fund therapy for 200 people through Pieta House and, incredibly, he’s not far off and deserves all our support. We just want to help edge him closer to his magic figure and we’re asking the public to support these two incredibly brave Tipp. people one last time,” he said.
The training sessions for U12 club squads will see them get an hour-long slot each, with the sessions running from 9.00am to 4.00pm. Each session will have a 15 minute game at the end. Clubs, which will be asked to make a donation of €200 each, can sign up by contacting any member of the Tipperary squad. Each club will be entered into a draw for Gaelic Armour jerseys.