Town rises in honour of cancer sufferer
As part of the first Donal Day, festival-goers will be asked to donate to help fund a series of cancer and teen suicide prevention groups.
The day has been set up in memory of 16-year-old Donal Walsh, who died in May, ending a four-year battle, and is seeking to add to the €150,000 already given to charities in his name.
His father, Fionnbar, admitted the loss of his son is still difficult to accept, but he said Donal would be “thrilled” with the charitable donations being made in his honour.
“The outpouring of generosity and good will has been incredible. He would be delighted and thrilled to bits to see the good that has come from this,” he said.
Since Donal’s story became public earlier this year, a massive €150,000 has been donated in his name to the cancer ward of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin. Other groups to benefit include the Donal Walsh #Livelife Foundation, which is trying to address the plight of teen suicide in Ireland, and the Kerry Hospice and Care 4 Kids sections of Tralee General Hospital.
The latest charity drive in Donal’s hometown today has been organised by pubs, restaurants, and sports clubs where he played rugby and GAA. Golf classics and cycles are also planned for the coming months.
“The response has been amazing. Sometimes [what happened to] Donal sneaks up on us and it brings a few tears, but then other times we remember the good times and it brings us a few laughs. He would really be delighted to see the response from people,” said Mr Walsh.
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