Phenomenal response to IMNDA fundraiser

A fundraisig campaign which included a daring swim in the Atlantic Ocean from Inis Oírr to Doolin has made a real splash raising more than €25,000 for the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association (IMNDA).
Organisers Clare Motor Neurone Awareness have described the response to the series of fundraising events as “phenomenal” as they paid tribute to all of those who helped make it such a success. As well as the swim, flag days across the county and men’s and ladies’ golf classics at Ennis Golf Club were held last June in support of the IMNDA, the only organisation of its kind in the country providing specialised services to families affected by MND.
John Considine of the local organising group explains, “June 21 is worldwide awareness day for MND so we wanted to keep all of our events around that date.”
This is the fourth year they have organised a series of events to raise awareness of the condition as well as much needed funds for the charity. In the past four years they have raised €70,000 in total for the organisation, with this year being their most successful yet.
Hilary Davis tells us they were moved to do all they could to help support the organisation after a member of the family was diagnosed with the progressive neurological condition.
“Everyone’s MND journey is different and there are different types of MND. While a diagnosis of MND is absolutely devastating and life changing, it takes strength of mind to turn it into a positive and constructive thing,” she said.
“Our family member has pledged to fundraise for the association as long as possible. The IMNDA have a saying ‘walk while you can’, referring to Fr Tony Coote (the campaigner who took on an extraordinary walk from Donegal to Cork) and that’s what our family member wants to do. IMNDA is a small organisation achieving big things in the fight against MND.”
Last week the group presented a cheque for €25,030 to Fidelma Rutledge an MND nurse. Brian Considine says, “The support to all of the fundraisers has been phenomenal, there is no doubt about it. People came from all over the county and outside the county to support us. There was no difficulty with throwing money into the bucket or supporting the other events.
“I think it is consistent with many fundraising events of this nature. People are naturally generous and good, that has been our experience. There is no begrudgery whatsoever and the interest in the common good is really almost humbling because they want to see good done, they will throw the money in and it is fantastic.”
Last summer’s fundraising events kicked off with a flag day in Ennis on June 22 with volunteers manning 10 spots across the town. They also fundraised in Scariff, Kilrush, Kimihill, Crusheen, Ennistymon, and Lahinch. John describing the flag day as “very successful” saying there are plans to expand it even further throughout the county next year. While Hilary recalls, “The flag day is often referred to as the silent collection because people tended to give notes rather than coins. There was so much support for what we were doing and it was amazing to see, people were just so generous.”
On Monday, June 24, 58 teams of four played in the mens’ golf classic with funds also raised through sponsorship of tee boxes. The following day the ladies’ golf competition was held which also proved to be a big success.
And on Sunday, June 30 eight brave men took on the challenge to swim from Inis Oírr to Doolin. Among them was Alan Considine who remembers, “There was some trepidation. We are all part of the Masters swimming club in Ennis but none of us had every done anything like it before so we didn’t really know what to expect. Mentally we were expecting the worst but it turned out fine. The conditions were perfect, the tide was going in and the wind was directly behind us and visibility perfect.”
Joining Alan in braving the waters were Aidan Considine, Niall McGann, Paul ‘Ziggy’ Johnston, Paddy Quinn, Colm Lyons, Dara Dever and Paschal Phelan. He adds, “I could have got many more to sign up, there was so much willing out there, but we were restricted in the number of swimmers because we needed to have boats available for safety. It’s a busy tourism channel and you can’t have 50 guys coming across, we’d have needed thirty boats.” He pays tribute to boatmen Pat O’Brien, Darren Stamp, Eoghain McMahon, Brian McCarthy and Padraig O’Dwyer for helping to make the event such as success as well as Oisín McGrath for his help with weather conditions.
The swimmers set up an online fundraising page which was flooded with donations from members of the public. “Word spread very quickly, the swim really captured people’s imaginations,” says Alan.
As well as raising much needed funds to allow IMNDA provide pivotal and specialist services the events also aimed to raise awareness of the condition. John outlines, “When we were doing our collections we were asked so many questions about the condition, the different diagnosis, where the funds would be going. People had heard of MND, but didn’t really know what is is, it’s only when it hits your door that you become aware so we want to help spread awareness of what it is all about.”
MND is a progressive neurological condition that attacks the motor neurons, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching the muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting. It can affect how someone walks, talks, eats, drinks and breathes. However not all symptoms happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time or in an a specific order. The rare disease generally affects adults however MND can strike people of all ages and currently there is no cure, however symptoms can be managed to help the person achieve the best possible quality of life.
In Ireland approximately 150 people are diagnosed every year and there are about 400 people living with the disease. These families are supported by IMNDA whose free services include access to MND funded entirely by donations. Over 85% of the organisations income comes from fundraising and donations. Other services include access to home care grant, access to specialised equipment on a loan basis and funding of counselling sessions for the person affected and their family.
Hilary concluded by expressing her appreciation to all of those who helped support the fundraisers. “The success of the fundraising initiatives would not be possible without all of the help and support from the volunteers and our friends.”
The group plan on continuing their fundraising efforts with more events next year.