It was over in three minutes, but this summer's skydive is something that Eoin Fenton from Kildorrery will never forget.

In June, the 15-year-old who has muscular dystrophy set out to raise €500 for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, but he could never have imagined that he would not only reach his target, but exceed it beyond all expectations - he raised 50 times his target and donated €25,171.08 to the group that give him so much support.

He described the skydive itself as 'jaw dropping', while his family said that they were blown away by the support that Eoin got, but that it was his friends who really made the experience what it was.

People from across the wider communities of Kildorrery and Mitchelstown rowed in behind Eoin to support his efforts and over the past few months, there have been countless fundraisers and events to bring the figure donated up to what it is today.

People were so touched by Eoin's efforts and his motivation to support MDI that there were even online donations from Australia, Spain and the UK.

Many businesses were contacted and most contributed generously, while sponsorship cards were filled out in Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and even in the Beara Peninsula and Kerry, many post offices took cards and postal staff were also very generous.

Some of the fundraisers included a coffee morning by Ballyhoura Macra, Kildorrery NS where Eoin went to school held a fundraising sports day, donations were made by Kildorrery GAA, Kildorrery Parent's Association, Kildorrery playschool, the Kildorrery International Food Fair and the Kildorrery Foroige junior club.

Eoin's family said that the support for Eoin's fundraising campaign was 'staggering' and nowhere was this more evident than in Kildorrery, where people gave generously and repeatedly to various events.

The community really rallied behind the fundraising efforts and the national schools in Glenahulla, Ballindangan and Knockadea held events, Tracy MacDonald held a zumba class in aid of the cause, St Fanahan's College held a cake and book sale, Loreto in Fermoy held a quiz, Eoin's aunt Mary Falvey organised a bag pack in Centra Fermoy, Peter and Eilish Watson organised a very successful quiz in Walsh's Kildorrery with refreshments kindly sponsored by the local chipper McDonals and the Kildorrery Harriers made a donation from a fun run.

The fundraising would not have been possible without the support of Eoin's friends, his family and special mention goes to all at Eoin's school; the Principal of CBS Mitchelstown Mr Desmond, staff, pupils, the Parent's Association and Eoin's teacher Anthony Nash.

On the day of the skydive, June 21, Eoin travelled to Edenderry in Offaly with family and friends where he got into his skydiving suit, boarded the plane and took to the skies.

It took the plane 20 minutes to reach the correct altitude and within three minutes of jumping from the plane, Eoin was back on land.

"Eoin raised €25,171.08 for MDI. Without the support from his extended family and especially his large circle of friends, this fundraising wouldn’t have been as successful as it was. Eoin's friends are extremely supportive of Eoin, be it a school or hanging out having fun. It is humbling to see the decency of these young people in this day and age, when we often only hear the negatives. We hope we have mentioned everyone who have supported the fundraising and apologies to anyone if they were left out," Eoin's mother Breda said.

blog comments powered by Disqus