Louis Vuitton for Do it for Dan
Make-up artist Laura Behan is giving away a Louis Vuitton handbag in aid of little Dan Donoher.
Laura set up the fundraiser two days ago and she has already gathered up almost €10,000 in donations.
Anyone who donates at least €10 will be entered into a draw to win the handbag which is worth a cool €1,000.
While the runner up will win a Coach handbag that was donated by Fiona Cox Dunne.
Laura explained: “Dan and his campaign (Do it for Dan) has captured the hearts of our nation and it’s been absolutely incredible watching the whole country come together in a bid to help him.
“All of Niall and Aisling’s friends are desperate to help in whatever way we can, this is just my way of showing my support and of course hopefully raising some vital funds for everyone’s little pal Dan!
“So although not an original idea I’m banking on the fact that all women love handbags!
“Please support my efforts by donating as much as you can and I’d really appreciate if you could all share with your friends, family and colleagues.
“Thank you all so so much in advance for your support of this fundraiser, lets make sure 2020 isn’t remembered only for Covid-19, lets remember it for the year we did it for Dan.”
* To enter: donate a minimum of €10 to the GoFundMe.
* Each €10 is one entry, donate more to increase your chances of winning.
* Receipt will be given to winner.
* A runner up prize of a beautiful Coach handbag has also been kindly donated by Fiona Cox Dunne.
Laois TD set to shave head for Dan
Laois TD Sean Fleming is set to shave his head in a bid to raise funds for Dan Donoher.
The Castletown GAA man has agreed to sheer his locks this Saturday if Castletown can reach their new target of €10,000.
They are currently on more than €9,000 and the sight of a bald Sean Fleming walking around Leinster House may just spur them on.
And who knows – maybe he will start a trend and fellow Laois TDs Charlie Flanagan and Brian Stanley will get involved!
Burpees to Boston
On Sunday May 3, Portlaoise man Dermot O’Neill will attempt to complete 4806 original burpees live on Facebook to raise funds for the Do It for Dan campaign.
This number is the distance in kilometres from Laois to Boston.
Dermot explained: “We as kettlebell lifters welcome a challenge and are constantly striving for the new PBs, setting new goals and pushing ourselves beyond our limits.
“With the pandemic devastating our world at the moment we are uniting through social media platforms and online competitions.
“Portlaoise Kettlebell club have decided to put energies into a new challenge – one that has touched the hearts of our members and our community.
“From their first breath, our children become our everything and we would do everything in our power, to ensure their safety, wellbeing and happiness. Nothing but the best will do.
“Aisling and Niall certainly had dreams and hopes of such a life. This hope became a reality in March 2019, with the joyous birth of their precious son Dan, bringing all of life’s excitement and bliss to the fore.
“The news of Dan’s medical diagnosis has brought this county together in times of such uncertainty.
“Let’s spread that unity across our kettlebell community all over the world and show the world how fantastic our lifting family is.
“We now have a chance to come together like we have never done before, to be part of something legendary, to be everything to one little soul that deserves all we can give.
“Portlaoise Kettlebell Club appeals to its members, supporters, fellow kettlebell lifters and affiliated organisations across the world to unite as a whole, to get behind this cause – let’s be part of changing the world for this little boy.
“Lets do all in our power to raise awareness of this effort, to engage with all available fund raising events; make a donation to show the world that no matter what rivalry we may possess, when it comes to our own, we stand together.
“When you share make sure to #DoitforDan, donate and comment on the page where in the World you are. Let’s see how far our kettlebell community reaches.”
Heath Go Kart race for Dan
The novel ways that keep emerging for the Do it for Dan fundraisers continue to entertain and a number of Heath GAA folk will be racing in Go Karts this weekend after local car dealer John Kelly of JK Autos set the wheels in motion, so to speak.
The Heath’s run/cycle takes place this Sunday, April 26, and it will have a new addition in the guise of people pedalling Go Karts to see who can go the fastest.
JK was first out of the traps when he challenged JJ Tynan, another one of the great characters of The Heath community, to a Go kart race. And it was no time before they were getting more entries, with Seamus Mulhare, Conor Bergin, Keith Kelly, Niamh Whelan, Rachel Coss and Anna Lalor all confirmed too.
“I was out doing my training this evening for my Go-Kart cycle. When I bumped into JJ and he reckons the aul hamstrings aren’t as strong as they used to be, so he said if The Heath GAA get to €8500 he’ll race me.
“It wasnt until I accepted he showed me what he’ll be racing in. He might have a bit of an edge giving he was a professional driver but what he doesnt know is I’ve enlisted the legend that is Jimmy Nerney as a personal trainer and called on all the mechanics in JK Autos to get the cart tuned up for the race.
“I’ve a feeling that if the money stays coming in you might see a few more go-karts appearing in this race. #teamjk or #teamjj comment below, I won’t be offended if I’m the underdog.”
The Heath GAA club are seeking to do 400km in the day and have set a target of €10,000 to raise.
Laois Athletics clubs come together for fundraiser
Trust the athletics club to go one step – indeed quite a lot of steps – further!
While most GAA clubs set themselves a target of 300 or 400km for their fundraising Do it for Dan run, the Laois Athletics clubs are aiming to do a combined 2,000km.
There’s no messing with that crew! With a number of elite athletes and a lot of runners well able to clock up the miles, we don’t doubt for a second that they’ll reach it.
Their run is this Sunday, April 26, and they are well on their way to meeting the €10,000 target.
And the clubs have put aside their fierce rivalry in a good-humoured twist also.
“After long negotiations, Mary Mulhare has decided that if the fundraising goes over €9000 she will go against all family rules and wear a St Abban’s singlet for her run on Sunday,” said St Abban’s stalwart Stephen Lawlor.
“In return James Nolan, Brian Kelly, and myself will all wear Portlaoise singlets should the fundraising go over 10,000! Of course all other clubs are welcome to swap around or even represent clubs that are no longer in operation. All a bit of fun, to raise money for a great cause.”
SEE ALSO – Dan, Niall, Aisling and Bobby Donoher make heartwarming appearance on RTE News
