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Soccer community rows in for Byrne family

The country may have endured a vicious few years economically, but one thing that provided a much ne...
TodayFM
TodayFM

7:55 AM - 2 Jun 2016



Soccer community rows in for B...

Sport

Soccer community rows in for Byrne family

TodayFM
TodayFM

7:55 AM - 2 Jun 2016



The country may have endured a vicious few years economically, but one thing that provided a much needed diversion from the financial chaos was sport. The Irish sporting family also tends to rally round at times of need and with Euro 2016 looming, the tragic events visited on the family of one of the countrys ex domestic stars have come into focus.

Former League of Ireland player Jody Byrne suffered the tragic loss of his eldest son Chris, who died of a brain tumour at just 31. Chris was diagnosed just four weeks after the birth of his first child. Survived by his wife Caroline and baby son Harry, he'd received treatment at the National Neurosurgical Centre at Beaumont Hospital – and now, his family and friends are looking to raise vital funds for the facility.

Here's Jody in his heyday with Chris.

In memory of Chris, the fundraising effort comes with the prospect of a big prize for one lucky winner.
 
12 members of An Garda Síochana from Store Street, will row from Dublin Port to Holyhead in a fundraising challenge called The Chris Crossing to raise funds for the National Neurosurgical Centre. The 12 Gardai are all novice rowers who have committed to a strenuous training regime in preparation for the 12 – 15 hour crossing in the hope to raise €50,000.
 
The public is being urged to help raise funds by donating €4 through texting EURO16 to 50300 and they will be entered into a fantastic competition to win a trip of a lifetime to EURO 16. This includes crossing to Cherbourg for four with a family sized car, four tickets to Ireland V Italy in Lille on June 22nd, and a Irish jersey signed by the squad.
 
Speaking about the challenge, Sargeant Ken Hoare said, “None of us has any real experience of rowing, let alone sea rowing, so we aren’t undertaking this lightly. However, the real challenge will be to reach our €50,000 target. We are asking people to support us and the National Neurosurgical Centre by making a €4 donation”. 
 
Patients with neuroloogical conditions from all over Ireland are referred to Beaumont Hospital to access the expertise of its eleven neurosurgeons and each year, some 450 patients undergo neurosurgery for the removal of brain tumours.
 
Donations to The Chris Crossing can also be made at www.beaumontfundraising.ie, by phone to 01 – 809 2161 or by cheque made payable to The Chris Crossing, c/o Beaumont Hospital Foundation, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9.

For more information go to http://www.beaumontfundraising.ie/events-donate/the-chris-crossing-appeal/

 



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