GREYHOUND FUNDRAISER RAISES €50,000 FOR GALWAY TEEN CILLIAN O’BRIEN
GRI
Galway Greyhound Stadium hosted bumper fundraising event on Friday 21st November in aid of the young boy who suffered a brain bleed at school in February.
Hughie Keleghan, Chairman of the Galway Greyhound Owners & Breeders Association, pictured with teaching staff at Scoil San Phroinsias, Nicola Mooney, Aisling Larkin, Helen Moran, Deirdre Foy, Aaron Broderick and David Hannify with the cheque for €50,000 raised for Cillian O'Brien at a fundraiser in Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday 21st November. Pic: Pat Keane
In February, Cillian O’Brien was waiting to take part in his school’s chess tournament when he suffered a brain bleed which has left him with an acquired brain injury. The now 13 year old has remained in hospital in Dublin since undergoing surgeries and treatment. Cillian’s vision, communication and movement have all been affected.
His parents Owen and Karen, who have been unable to return to work while they focus on their young son and his recovery, and sisters Zoe and Aisling, hope to bring him home soon. Their Galway home requires significant work to be suitable for Cillian and his needs and the local community has been rallying to help him.
Cillian’s teachers and school community in Scoil San Phroinsias on the Headford Road, were keen to raise funds to support him and with the help of Hughie Keleghan and the local Greyhound Owners & Breeders Association (WGOBA), organised a major fundraiser in Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday 21st November.
Through sponsorship, ticket sales and a raffle, a massive €50,000 was raised on the night, a figure that will go a long way to helping Cilllian and his family in his treatment and return home.
The fundraising efforts were supported not just in Galway but across the West of Ireland and the organisers are hugely thankful to all who supported it. All money raised through race sponsorship by local businesses was donated in full to Cillian.
In a message to supporters in November, Cillian’s family said:
“On behalf of Cillian and our entire family, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to David Hanniffy, Kieran Tierney, Pat Keane, and the staff of Tirellan National School for their incredible kindness, commitment, and support over the past nine months. Your efforts - from volunteering at bucket collections to organising school events in aid of Cillian - have meant more to us than words can express. I would like to thank, in particular, Hugh Keleghan who has been instrumental in organising this Greyhound Fundraiser. He has left no stone unturned and together with the committee of David, Aisling Larkin, Deirdre Foy, Aaron Broderick, Nicola Mooney and Cillian’s teacher Helen Moran have given so much of their own time in putting this night together.
We would also like to sincerely thank everyone who sponsored a race, placed an advertisement, or contributed in any way to tonight’s event. Your generosity has made a real difference.”
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all for supporting us and for being part of Cillian’s story.”
Every donation to Cillian will go directly toward:
• Specialist treatments and therapies
• Equipment to help with mobility and communication
• Transport and accommodation for hospital appointments
• Long-term care and rehabilitation support
• Making his home safe and accessible