Mullingar fundraiser to take her campaign nationwide

An indomitable Mullingar woman who has raised more than €10,000 in just two weeks is set to take her campaign nationwide in what promises to be one of the most dynamic fundraisers of the year. She is asking men and women throughout the country and even abroad to shave their heads for six remarkable charities.

Ally Byrne is overwhelmed by the response to her appeal and is determined to “go bigger” and to raise €10,000 for each of her six chosen charities. Every week she will be shining a light on one of those, explaining who they are and what they do.

Ally was propelled into action when Michael, her 42-year-old husband was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a rare blood cancer, last April. Michael was working with Ken Fitzsimons Landscaping of Tullaniskey, Mullingar, a company he had been with for 18 years. Ally was working full time and studying to become a secondary school teacher, a plan she has had to put on hold for the time being as she is now her husband’s full-time carer.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner this week, Ally explained how she needed something to focus on as she and her family dealt with the aftershock of the diagnosis. The couple live at Glascorn, Ballinea with their three daughters – Lucy, aged 12, Anna, 11 and nine-year-old Jane, all of whom attend St Kenny National School, Ballinea.

A woman of many asides, Ally breaks off to pay tribute to Maura Kenny, who is retiring after 21 years as a special needs assistant at the school. “Maura is a legend, she is so kind and will be sorely missed by staff and students,” she says.

This is not Ally’s first foray into fundraising. She has been raising money for good causes for years and has always been amazed at the generosity of the Mullingar people. She is a native of Gaybrook, Mullingar, and daughter of Tom and Mary Farrell, who, along with other family and friends, have backed all her endeavours.

“The people of Mullingar are fantastic,” she said, pointing out that within hours of her setting up the appeal, Andrina Finch Art had come on board with a promise to host a Prosecco night and Derek Sheridan of ABC Bouncy Castles had donated an obstacle course to be raffled to raise funds.

“I am asking people to follow the campaign through my Instagram page, share and like – if people can donate that is fantastic, if not, tell anyone you know, you never know who is willing to shave their head for a good cause.”

Ally hopes to host a gala event as the culmination of her fundraising in the autumn, Covid restrictions permitting, but for the moment she is busy building awareness of the charities she is extolling. “I know people are struggling at present, but if you can’t donate, then maybe you would share the page, drop in flyers, put up posters or just pass on the word,” she asked.

Among her charities is Claire’s Wish, which grants terminally ill adults a wish. One wish a month is granted and so far it has fulfilled 120 wishes. The Laura Lynn charity is one that Ally has supported for many years. Locks for Love is a charity that encourages people to cut their hair and donate it to make wigs for children and adults with cancer.

She hopes to get people from all over the country and maybe even the world to join in shaving their locks. Already she has enlisted one businessman from Mullingar to represent Westmeat,h although she would not be drawn into saying who, and she also has representatives from Longford, Limerick, Clare and Cork.

“Every hour in Ireland someone dies from cancer. Every three minutes of a working week someone hears they have cancer,” Ally said. But she is confident that “Ireland is at the top of our game” when it comes to cancer research. Her campaign is aimed at highlighting that research and the other supports for cancer patients and their families.

“With public support, together we could raise money to help many charities working with people fighting to survive cancer, charities that are fighting to cure cancer and charities supporting families living and dealing with cancer in their daily lives,” Ally said.

Michael is now in a neck and back brace 24 hours of the day, but he’s still the life and soul of the house, upbeat, positive and determined, Ally told us. She is confident that Michael will benefit from medical advances. Both he and Ally are grateful to all the medical staff who have helped them, particularly the nurses and staff at Mullingar and Tullamore hospitals, who were with them from the outset, especially during the trying two weeks after his initial diagnosis.

The charities Ally is fundraising for are:

Multiple Myeloma – as it’s the cancer that Michael has been diagnosed with;

Breakthrough Cancer Research – “we need to support this charity in order to find a cure”;

Clare’s Wish Foundation – grants wishes for terminally ill adults.

Childhood Cancer Foundation – advocates for improved support and services for those living with cancer.

Lauralynn Children’s Hospice – provides respite for those with life limiting conditions.

Irish Cancer Society – offer a wide range of free supports to anyone affected by cancer.

For full details of Ally’s campaign, search ‘allyfundraiserforcancer’.