Fundraiser organised by the late Eddie Lennon raises over €7,200 for Tullamore Hospital's oncology unit

A MAJOR fund-raiser organised by the late Eddie Lennon has raised a whopping €7.208.28 for the Oncology Haematology Patient Comfort Fund at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore.

Darts enthusiast, Eddie, who died earlier this year after a brave battle with lung cancer, organised the fund-raiser but sadly passed away before the draw took place last month.

But the baton was taken on by Eddie's wife, Breda, and close friend Laura Smollen and a team of friends who presented the cheque to Tullamore hospital on Monday afternoon last.

Speaking to the Tribune afterwards, Laura paid tribute to Eddie for his work in organising the fund-raiser.

Added Laura: "Basically Eddie had all the preparatory work completed for the draw before he passed away including securing the prizes and printing draw cards and posters.

"He was very grateful for the treatment he received in the oncology ward," said Laura whose brother, the former county councillor, Ken Smollen also died from cancer recently.

Eddie and Ken were best friends and Eddie held a previous darts fund-raiser in the Goalpost pub last year, in Ken's memory, which raised €3,424 for the oncology department.

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Ken passed away from lung and bone cancer on July 12 last, the same day Eddie was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Laura said she, Breda, and the team were thrilled to raise over €7,200 from the latest draw and paid tribute to all those who supported it an sponsored prizes.

Sponsors included Dolan's chemist, Douglas jewellers, the Bridge House Hotel, the Tullamore Court Hotel and D & S Hardware.

Laura also thanked the Bridge Centre and its manager John Cusack who allowed the team to mount a stand promoting the draw on three successive days in the shopping centre.

She and Breda paid tribute to their team of helpers – Karen Coffey, Mary Coffey, Karen Kennan, Mary Spollen, Liz Lynch and Emer O'Looney.

They also thanked Valerie Smollen and the staff of the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise who raised a lot of money for the cause. Thanks were also extended to Gerry McGrath who printed the posters and draw cards.

"A special word of thanks to Liz Lynch who raised a huge amount of money in Eddie's favourite pub, the Goalpost. We know how much Eddie means to her and how much a fundraiser for oncology patients means to her having lost other very dear friends to cancer. Thanks too the clients there for being so generous," outlined Laura.

She also thanked Darren Sheridan and Rosie Kane of the Goalpost pub for their huge support.

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Laura said the organising team know that money raised in the draw will go to great use for patients and families with cancer.

"During our three days in the Bridge Centre we sadly heard so many stories from so many people who's lives have been turned upside down because of cancer. Every second person had a story to tell. But through their sadness and grief they too wanted to help others.

"The fundraiser was a huge lesson for all of us that this world has only a few bad apples in it. The vast majority of people are just brilliant and want to help others and that's so heart-warming.

"We know that Eddie is looking down from heaven and would be so proud of his achievement as would his best friend Ken."