Martin Griffin fund

Today is a very emotional yet proud day for my sister, myself and our families.  

Today we launch a fund in memory of our father Martin Griffin aka GIGA.

He was many things to to many people, each person we meet has a different story to tell and a different memory to recount. Some are heart warming, some are hilarious and some very sad.  But in meeting people in the time since daddy passed away and hearing their stories and memories combined with our own has encouraged us to ensure his life and those who he impacted positively, was not in vein and to further do our very best to ensure that his memory will live on and impact more people, particularly young people.

As many of you who knew daddy will know he had incredible highs in his life and sadly incredible lows.  But this is not a unique story, it is the story of most of us who live and struggle with our demons and the economic, psychological and social challenges we face.

As we look at society today we know that many young people are facing these same challenges, we want to ease some of those burdens like loneliness, economic disadvantage and exclusion.  We want to create a space in daddy's name where young people have a sense of BELONGING in their community.  Many of the people we have spoken to and indeed friends of daddy would say "you just felt safe if he was by your side" and "you just knew he had your back" while this may not have been everyones experience it is the one that we want to remember him by.

In establishing this fund our core objective is to have a pocket of money to help young people in our community, whether it is buying a pair of football boots for a young person who cannot afford them, organising transport for someone who can't get to football practice, or setting up a youth club and educational programme for young people to help them explore their gifts and talents, to build their self esteem and confidence.  We want to be the Champion, that many young people don't have, the shoulder to lean on and a friend to call on when in trouble.  

We are hoping to establish, administer and transparently govern this fund, if you would be interested in helping or indeed would have any advice or guidance for us please contact us.  

We would also like to thank Nathan Griffin for his documentary which airs this evening on TG4 at 4.15 and Pat McLean who has written and emotive yet beautiful song in daddy's memory.

We have a vision and appetite to crest something special in daddy's memory, something that makes a difference in a young persons life. something they won't forget, but we cannot do it alone.

We need your help 

Ann Marie & Donna xx