RTÉ Broadcaster to hold bake sale at St Loman’s for children’s charity

RTÉ Midlands Correspondent Sinead Hussey is organising a bake sale at St Loman’s GAA clubhouse next Saturday, August 24, in memory of a young boy who lost his life to a rare cancer.

CJ McCann from Ballaghaderreen passed away last October at 21 months old after a battle with Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumour (ATRT), an aggressive brain cancer.

His father, Joe, and 20 friends will be cycling from Malin to Mizen Head, the most northern to the most southern point in Ireland, in memory of CJ from August 22-24.

Over €150,000 has already been raised, with the money to be distributed between Oscar’s Kids and Hand in Hand, two charities that greatly supported the McCann family during CJ’s illness.

The money raised at next week’s bake sale will be added to the total, and Ms Hussey is asking people to support it in any way they can.

“If you can help in any way - either by baking some cakes or donating on the day - we’d really appreciate it,” she said.

“I’ll be getting the cookbook out this week myself, and if anyone wants to make cakes, I’ll gladly accept them any time from 9am that morning.

“We’ll be selling cakes from then on, and there will be lots of training sessions happening throughout the morning.”

Ms Hussey described CJ’s parents as “two very special people.”

“Niamh is from Tang and went to school in Ballymahon. I’ve known her since I was a child, and she’s been involved in the GAA all her life,” she said.

“Joe is an accomplished handballer; he’s won loads of titles, so they’re both well-known, and they can’t believe how generous people have been in supporting the fundraiser.”

The broadcaster emphasised that the money is going to a worthwhile cause.

“Hand in Hand and Oscar’s Kids are both charities that supported Joe, Niamh, and their kids from the time CJ was diagnosed right up until he passed away,” she said.

“Oscar’s Kids even managed to organize a Christmas for them last September because they knew CJ wouldn’t make it to December.

“They made it really special and had Santa visit, so they are an excellent charity.”

If you can’t make it to the bake sale, donations can be made online by visiting idonate.ie/event/cjsrainbow