Rathcoffey GAA 1888km Challenge

On the 9th of May, the Rathcoffey Senior Footballers will host the “Rathcoffey 1888km Challenge” in support of our teammate Martin and his family’s Roar for Ruairi campaign. Rathcoffey GAA was founded in 1888, so we believe a distance of 1888km is a fitting target, but we need your help!
To get involved:
Walk, jog or run whatever distance you can!
Log your distance on our website ( rathcoffey.gaa.ie )
Send a screenshot of your run or your post-run selfies to our social media pages, or post on your page and tag Rathcoffey GAA and Roar for Ruairi!
Donate to “Rathcoffey 1888km Challenge” on GoFundMe!
Don’t forget to get your friends and relatives all over the world to get involved!

This is a special appeal on behalf of Rathcoffey GAA, for financial support for the McDonnell Family. Their son Ruairi has a terminal illness and the aim of this appeal is to raise funds to help the McDonnell family make the necessary renovations to their home and to help with the ongoing homecare costs for Ruairi. The McDonnell Family are from Clane. Ruairi is a wonderful, caring and fun 6 year old boy. His parents are Martin and Ruth McDonnell. Martin who is originally from Ballycastle, Co. Mayo is a valued member of Rathcoffey GAA and both he and Ruth have many friends and family living in the Rathcoffey/Clane area.

On the 31st October 2019, Ruth & Martin received the devastating news that their beautiful son had been diagnosed with a very rare degenerative and life-limiting neurological condition. This very rare and fatal condition affects 1:20,000 people globally and the disease has been rapid and relentless in its progress over the past 3-4 months. It has already robbed Ruairi of his sight, his ability to speak and much of his cognitive ability. Medical experts in Ireland and abroad have been consulted but sadly there is no medical treatment for this terrible disease. Unfortunately for Ruairi and the McDonnell family, this downward spiral will eventually lead to hearing loss, seizures and loss of muscle control over the next few years.

Prior to his diagnosis Ruairi had been attending school in Clane and was enjoying all the same activities like other boys his age. He loved GAA, especially hurling, riding his bike and playing with his two brothers and many friends. He also loved being outside in the garden, climbing trees and searching for creepy crawlies.

Ruairi can no longer enjoy these activities in the same way he used to, however, he remains a very loving and gentle child with a huge zest for life and sense of adventure. However, he now requires 24-hour personal care which is provided by his parents who at the same time are trying to maintain a normal happy home for Ruairi and his brothers. As the disease progresses Ruairi will require full-time home nursing and the family home requires significant adaptations to meet his care needs. The care supports provided by the state in this situation are extremely limited.  

The funds we raise from this campaign will be used to make the necessary renovations to Ruairis home and provide him with a better quality of life. 


Our target is to raise €10,000 to contribute to the Roar for Ruairi Campaign. 

Thank you.

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Website:     Rathcoffey.gaa.ie