Meath man takes on challenge of visiting every GAA ground in the county in 24 hours for charity
July 11, 2020
Derek with his Tom in Ballinlough after completing the exhausting pitch challenge in 14 hours.
Meath supporter Derek Lynch is taking on a challenge of visiting every GAA ground in the county in 24 hours to raise vital funds for A Better Life For Livie, a fundraising drive for baby girl Livie (Olivia) Mulhern, who has been diagnosed with SMA.
Starting at his local hurling club Kilskyre this morning and finishing at his local football club Ballinlough, 'Sharpe' is going to over 60 grounds. Derek is making sure to kick or puck a point in every pitch but if the gates are closed, he will solo outside the grounds instead. Ballinlough GFC PRO Susan Farrell has joined Derek on his journey around the Royal County. Susan has been posting updates on the Ballinlough GFC social media accounts as they go along.
We have a map for Sharpes Trip on Saturday!
— Ballinlough GFC (@BallinloughGaa) July 9, 2020
So Kilskyre at 06:00AM and taking in the full complement of pitches before making it home to Ballinlough sometime Saturday evening! We’ll be posting updates all day so you can see where we are at. Donate here: https://t.co/4j4RT4YEvO pic.twitter.com/zbBoZ2NHB4
Derek started at Brian O'Higgins Memorial Park at 6am, he then headed north to Moylagh, St Brigid's, Oldcastle, Carnaross, Moynalty, St Michael's, Kilmainhamwood and Nobber.
Next up was Drumconrath, Meath Hill, Syddan, Castletown, Wolfe Tones (Gibbstown), Rathkenny, Seneschalstown, Slane, St Mary's and Duleek-Bellewstown.
Then he headed to the east coast, visiting St Colmcille's, St Patrick's, onto St Vincent's and over to Skryne where he bumped into two-time Footballer of the Year Trevor Giles.
More footballers flat out in @SkryneGFC under the watchful eye of my absolute hero and @MeathGAA legend Trevor Giles !!! 😀 Donate here 👉: https://t.co/4j4RT4YEvO pic.twitter.com/0igADaL7ui
— Ballinlough GFC (@BallinloughGaa) July 11, 2020
Curraha, Ratoath, Donaghmore-Ashbourne, Kilbride, Dunboyne, St Paul's and Dunshaughlin are up next before Derek continues his journey south and back up north to Ballinlough.
Update:
Derek completed the exhausting challenge in 14 hours having reached Ballinlough at 8pm and his son Tom took the final kick.
Well we made it home,Derek was tired so Tom had to kick the final score! Thanks to all the clubs for their help through the day and all of you who donated to Livies Fund.We’ll leave the page open for a couple of days and you can donate by clicking here:https://t.co/xmxxOHtdUB 😀 pic.twitter.com/u8xYfYucXp
— Ballinlough GFC (@BallinloughGaa) July 11, 2020
You can donate to 'Sharpe's Pitch Challenge' here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pygfb-123
Livie (Olivia) Mulhern's story
Livie (Olivia), who lives in Balrath Co. Meath, has been diagnosed with SMA, the same condition as Dan from the Do it for Dan campaign.
Little Livie has been diagnosed with a rare and serious genetic neuromuscular condition called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1. There is no cure and Livie has its most severe type. Livie’s muscles used for activities such as crawling, walking, sitting up, moving her head, and even swallowing and breathing, are becoming progressively weaker and shrinking. Without any treatment, little Livie’s condition would continue to deteriorate and it would be unlikely that she would live past her 2nd birthday.
Treatment options for little Livie are very limited. The best hope for a better life for Livie is a once-off gene therapy called Zolgensma, which is currently only available in USA. It costs approximately US$2,100,000.
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