Almost €35k raised in 'Shave or Dye' fundraiser

Almost 1,000 donate in support of footballing star Caoimhan McGovern. Some 'Shave or Dye' results have been 'incredible' say organisers

Published: Thu 16 Sep 2021, 12:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 16 Sep 2021, 1:28 PM

An online fundraiser in support of county footballing star Caoimhan McGovern in his courageous and ongoing fight against cancer is close to raising almost €35,000.

Almost 1,000 people have donated to the cause, with funds going to support the Sligo and Cavan Oncology day wards.

In just three short days after first being launched earlier this month, the fundraiser had raised a whopping €21,000 with support coming from all four corners of Ireland, the UK, and further afield.

Caoimhan’s diagnosis of Stage 2 Lymphoma cancer back in July is compounded by the fact his father Michael Anthony and his grandmother on his dad’s side, Nora, both died from cancer within months of each other in 2018.

The two charities, chosen by Caoimhan’s mother Chrissie, continue to be of great support to the McGovern family.

Caoimhan’s best friend and Shannon Gael's club teammate Declan McLoughlin came up with the idea for the fundraiser, which has already seen dozens of the county footballers friends commit to a ‘Shave or Dye’ challenge.

The results, Declan says, have been “incredible”.

“There's some commitment out there.”

He said the support for the cause has been “overwhelming”.

“Its not just been Cavan, but Leitrim, Fermanagh as well, all over the place. We've donations coming in from all over the world. Businesses as well, €250 coming in from Blacklion, it all adds up.”

He adds: “I was talking to Caoimhan only the other day and he can't believe it either. All the surrounding counties as well, they've all chipped in, its been unreal.”

While surprised by the incredible sum that has been raised, Declan is less so shocked at the level of support shown for Caoimhan and his family, saying: “They're well got. Without a doubt.”

Says Declan, who got his own hair dyed shock pink, and is preparing to get the colour topped up in the coming days for added effect: “People have been so generous. The videos and photos are coming through nearly every day now. There are a lot of brilliant looking heads going about the county at the minute. There are some lads out there going about absolutely skint.”