The Glennon brothers Martin (17) and Shane (15) from south Roscommon are organising a virtual tractor, truck and car run on Sunday, December 13, in memory of their beloved mam, Cathy, who sadly passed away after a six-week illness due to cancer on October 8.
The proceeds of their fundraiser will benefit the Irish Cancer Society, the Galway Hospice and the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice.
Martin and Shane are students at Garbally College, Ballinasloe. They are fifth-generation farmers in Camcloon, working a mixed farm with suckler cows and breeding sheep. They take great pride in their prizewinning Marsha Simmentals.
We have enjoyed farming with dad and mam from a young age. In 2011, we went to our first show, it was the winter fair at Carrick-on-Shannon. We won an All-Ireland Yearling Simmental Championship and she went on to win reserve Simmental champion. We have won numerous more shows since.
In October 2020, Martin won the Simmental-cross maiden heifer champion virtual show, a win which delighted the family.
Community involvement
It was instinctive for the brothers to react to their enormous loss by organising this virtual fundraiser as Cathy was always on hand to help out with all community organisations and initiatives.
Cathy and their dad Mike are well known for their community involvement down through the years. Cathy was the proud holder of an All-Ireland football medal that she won for Galway in 1992.
In 2006, she won her first county camogie medal for Padraig Pearses and in 2018 she went back to win her next at the age of 50. Cathy is remembered as being caring, hardworking and enjoying family, farming life and sport.
Deeply rooted in her community, she coached and encouraged many along the way as an underage coach for local soccer club Moore Utd and as an underage hurling coach for Padraig Pearses.
Mam was a ‘go-to’ person, a leader and a great supporter of ours and others. Mam and dad instilled great values in us and we are extremely proud of her.
The boys are happy to help the Irish Cancer Society, The Galway Hospice and The Mayo/Roscommon Hospice at a time of devastating personal loss.
Even though there is a Covid pandemic, cancer is still knocking on doors. This time last year dad had a tumour and subsequently his eye was removed. We are grateful for the help he received.
“We would love if everyone got involved in our campaign Driving on for Cathy,” they said.
‘Get in gear and rev your engines’
People are being asked to support the fundraiser by taking a photo or video of their tractor, truck or car run or getting their children involved with tractor ride-ons or toy tractors before 5:00pm on Sunday, December 13.
Women are encouraged to take part in the ‘Women drive tractors too’ competition and submit their photos or videos, with spot prizes on offer for female prowess.
They can post the images to the Facebook group Driving on for Cathy, or email: [email protected]; or WhatsApp it to: 083-8153420. The virtual tractor run video will then be compiled.
Once posted, participants will be invited to make a donation to the GoFundMe page. There will be a spot prize draw for all who have posted.
The brothers called for as much support as possible for their initiative. “Please get in gear and rev your engines in memory of our mam and for all those you know or have loved who have sadly lost their lives to cancer.”