A group of kind-hearted Laois farmers are joining the ‘Fight for Johnny’s Girls’ by raffling off a Belgian Blue heifer called Peppa.
The fundraiser is in aid of Jonathan McCowen – a Portarlington dad with an aggressive form of Motor Neuron disease.
Mr McCowen’s story was made known at the start of July and so far – more than $500,000 has been raised.
In September 2021, Jonathan, who lives in Brisbane in Australia, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease while his wife, Sherie, was 6 months pregnant with their second child.
There is no cure for MND and unfortunately, the disease is very aggressive in Jonathan’s case. He is no longer able to speak or move and is fed through a PEG tube into his abdomen.
The hope is to raise AUD $750,000 to provide a home and a secure future for Sherie, Darcy and Riley.
And fundraisers like this one – organised by Conor Mitchell,
Keith Bracken, Padraig O’Dwyer, Francis Finn, Micheal Finlay,
Cathal Bannon and John Behan – certainly help.
Peppa the Belgian Blue X Limo cross heifer is the top prize. She was named by Johnnys girls Riley and Darcey.
Other prizes include vouchers for: Glanbia, Quinns, Solas Eco Garden Shop, as well as a water trough from midlands vet Portarlington and a trailer load of fire wood.
A spokesperson for the group said: “We decided that we would aim to organise a raffle that would try to encompass a demographic that otherwise may not have been brought into the fold for fundraising.
“It was with that in mind that we went out and bought “Peppa” at the Irish Suckler Societies recent sale in Roscrea.
“The heifer was bred by Ryans of Clonaslee who work under the Cappanarrow herd prefix, breeding Belgian Blue and Limousin cattle.
“We are hoping to sell 1,000 tickets and in the process raise 25,000 euros. There is no limit on ticktes so if we sell more we will keep going.
“All funds will go directly to the Fight For Johnny’s Girls main fundraiser.
“The raffle will take place in Solas Eco garden shop in Portarlington on the 10th of September at 3pm. A cash alternative is available to those without a herd number.”
People can buy tickets, priced at €25, directly on the iDonate raffle page – https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/13449_farmers-fight-for-johnny-s-girls—raffle.html.
Tickets can also be purchased from any of the organising committee: Cathal (0857789494), Conor (0861639153), Keith (0857516595), Padraig (0879347525) and Francis (0872337874).
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