Alan's Sports Extravaganza to raise awareness of organ donation

A large sporting event has been organised in memory of teacher Alan Feeley who died of a brain haemorrhage last November.

Thu, 13 Mar, 2014 - 00:00

Kelly O'Brien

Due to take place in Limerick on August 2, 'Alan's Sports Extravaganza' aims to raise awareness of organ donation and promote physical activity.

The event also commemorates the late Alan Feeley who died on November 13 after suffering a brain haemorrhage two days earlier.

By carrying an organ donor card, the Mayo man ended up saving the lives of five people - six of his organs were donated.

After news of this selfless act, the Irish Kidney Association reported a marked increase in requests for cards. The majority of these requests came from Mayo, where Alan was from, and Limerick, where Alan was working as a PE teacher.

His girlfriend, footballer Louise Galvin, spoke about Alan on 2fm recently.

She said: "Alan was very outgoing, personable and very sporty and athletic so we had that in common aswell. Just a really, really positive and confident person who loved to help anyone out."

Louise also featured on Radio Kerry where she said Alan's passing was tough to go through, but takes comfort from the fact that his organ donation saved lives.

"It's tough but we're getting through it," she explained. "It was a very difficult time for us, for myself and for Alan's family and friends but we took a lot of solace from the fact that even in death there was some sort of positivity coming out of it."

The daytime event will take place on campus in UL between 10am and 6pm and will include a tag rugby tournament, aerobic classes, kettle bell classes, weight lifting and tug of war, all of which will promote a healthier lifestyle and organ donation on the day.

The activities will be followed by a 'Slick and Stylish' Ball in the South Court Hotel.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Irish Kidney Association.

To register for the event, go to alanfeeley.com/register.html

To find out more, visit AlanFeeley.com or check out the event on social media via Facebook.com/AlansSportsExtravaganza and Twitter.com/AlansSportsExt