With just eight weeks to go until the Drive to Survive campaigners set off on a trip of over 1,000 miles in a Model T Forde, they are getting closer to their target of €1 million, having passed the milestone of €30,000 thanks to recent fundraisers.

Over the June bank holiday weekend, there were presentations of cheques with a barbecue provided by Maurice O'Connor, Adian Maunsell, Cait Cummins and Aoife Gallahue.

Chairman of the group, Dan Gallahue, said that the Mitchelstown branch are organising a race night for Marymount Hospice in Jackie O'Brien's Tavern on Saturday, June 15 and he welcomes other groups from different areas who wish to come on board to raise money for the hospice in their area.

Drive to Survive is a Ballylanders and Anglesboro based group, set up by Dan Gallahue in memory of his father John and their aim is to raise €1 million for Irish hospices, with the added benefit that every single fundraiser, no matter where it takes place in the country will benefit the hospice in that area.

Summarising some of the recent fundraisers, Dan said that €411 had been raised through a coffee morning in the day care centre in Ballylanders, Cllr Eddie Ryan and John Denihan presented a cheque for €855 from a recent table quiz in Galbally and during Easter weekend, Anglesboro Community Council held a fundraising Easter blitz which raised €10,311.03. 

This included a head shave, cycle, bingo, egg hunt and coffee day, as well as having the proceeds from a night of 'A Wake in the West'.

"Anglesboro could take a bow on this one. This was an outstanding success from a small community and just shows what can be done when people come together," Dan Gallahue told The Avondhu.

There will also be a monster table quiz in Kildorrery during their festival on July 4 and a coffee morning in Tig Roy's in Galbally at the end of July, with details to follow.

If anyone wishes to contribute to the Drive to Survive campaign by making a donation or organising an event, they can email dan@drivetosurvive.ie, follow Drive to Survive Ireland on Facebook or contact Dan Gallahue directly on 087-2549014, all support would be greatly appreciated.

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