Local charities receive cheques from €230k Monster Vehicle fundraiser
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Members of the Farnan family with cheques for the respective beneficiaries, the Mater Hospital Foundation €75,000, and the Meath Palliative Care €5,000. (From left): Aggie Diamond, Frances Heary, Aaron Farnan, Marie Farnan, Richie Farnan, Pat Farnan, Breda Farnan, Rachel Kellaghan, Jamie Tormey, Willie Farnan.Image 2 of 7
Members of the Woods and Magee family made a presentation to Breast Cancer Ireland for €75,000. (From left): Paddy Woods, David Magee, Caroline Woods, Samantha McGregor, Breast Cancer Ireland; Emma Woods, Maria Woods, Gary Woods, Conor Woods. PHOTOS: STEPHEN BALL.Image 3 of 7
Members of the Ball family with cheques for the respective beneficiaries, Beaumont Breast Centre €30,000; SOSAD Ireland €15,000; Drogheda Oncology Unit €30,000. (From left) Catriona O’Brien, Derek O’Brien, Mickey Ball, Theresa Ball, Katie O’Brien, Sharon Ball, Dermot Ball, Eoghan Gough.Image 4 of 7
Catriona O’Brien presents a cheque to Liz Summersby for Drogheda Oncology Unit for €30,000.Image 5 of 7
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A group photo at the presentation with the cheque displayed for the overall €230,000 raised.Image 7 of 7
Members of the Farnan family presented a cheque for €70,000 to the representatives of the Mater Hospital Foundation, (from left): Darren Cowzer, Mater Hospital Foundation; Richie Farnan, Aaron Farnan, Marie Farnan, Angela McNulty, Mater Hospital Foundation.Cancer and suicide charities were the beneficiaries of a Monster Vehicle run last August that saw over 500 tractors, trucks and vintage cars take to roads around Bohermeen and Fordstown, raising a staggering €230,000.
'Richie and Catriona's Monster Vehicle Run Run in memory of Nikki Magee (nee Woods) and Sinead Ball' presented the proceeds of the event to six organisations at a function in The Kilberry on Saturday night.
Breast Cancer Ireland was presented with a cheque for €75,000, while the Mater Foundation, received €70,000, The Beaumont Breast Service got a donation of €30,000 and the Drogheda Oncology Unit also got €30,000.
Meath Palliative Services were presented with a cheque for €5,000, while SOSAD received €15,000. The organisers had earlier also donated €5,000 to another local charity 'Emma's Journey Home' supporting Cortown teenager, Emma Flanagan.
A delighted Catriona O'Brien, one of the three organisers said they never expected to raise so much money.
"It was phenomenal, fantastic. People are so good," she said. Gavin Lynch of SOSAD said they were thrilled by the donation. "We are over the moon, we're delighted they thought of us. The money will be put to good use. It will save lives," he said, The Monster Vehicle Run came about when three neighbours, who had faced major challenges and tragedies in the past few years, united to raise funds for charities close to their hearts.
Richie Farnan and Catriona O'Brien from Bohermeen and Gary Woods from Fordstown - came together to raise funds in memory of Gary's sister, Nikki Magee and Catriona's sister, Sinead Ball.
Richie Farnan explains how he wanted to give something back following his diagnosis and treatment for pancreatic cancer.
“I had never been in hospital in my life but my eyes have been opened since my diagnosis and I know the wonderful work the doctors and nurses are doing.”.
"It is great to give something back.”
Gary Woods recalls his sister Nikki Magee was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2021 and died in July the following year, at the age of just 43, leaving behind a husband and two young children.
“We are very grateful for the care she got. She was treated in the Mater Private, but unfortunately we didn't get the result we wanted. She fought a courageous battle against breast cancer.
She had palliative care at home for the last two weeks,” he recalled.
Catriona O'Brien lost her sister, Sinead Ball, to suicide in September 2022.
“Sinead was 46-years-old. She was the life and soul of the area.
“It was very hard, very sad. It is still a bit raw.
“Just four or five weeks later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In November 2022 I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction in Beaumont and started 20 weeks of chemotherapy in Drogheda in January 2023. That was followed by three weeks of radiotherapy in Beaumont. I am on tablets now to keep it at bay.”
In December 2022, just a month after Catriona's diagnosis, her mother, Teresa Ball was also told she had breast cancer, but is now doing very well after treatment. Catriona's sister, Aine Fitzsimons was treated for breast cancer eight years ago and is doing very well now.