Mayo LGFA donates €9,500 to GoFundMe for Carlow crash survivors

MAYO LGFA has donated €9,500 to the GoFundMe page for the four family members from Carlow who were seriously injured in the tragic M9 crash following a county-wide fundraising effort.

Over the weekend of 22-23 August, every Mayo LGFA championship fixture across all levels became a fundraiser for Niamh Kinsella, her sisters Alma Kinsella and Ella Hendricken and Alma’s son Yemi (7), who are from Graiguecullen.

Niamh has been a member of Claremorris LGFA for a number of years and is currently a much-loved and valued player on the club’s junior team.

The idea was initially put forward by Mayo LGFA and Castlebar Mitchels stalwart Kathryn Sullivan, who contacted the county executive to suggest that the championship weekend be used to raise funds for Niamh, Alma, Ella and Yemi.

Mayo LGFA chairperson Sinead Stagg said it was no surprise that Kathryn Sullivan brought the idea forward to the executive, adding that the donation drive showcased the very best of the LGFA community.

“Being there for your clubmate in times of unimaginable difficulty is at the heart of what it means to be part of our LGFA community,” Ms Stagg said. “When we put it to the clubs, there was not a moment’s hesitation. Every single club in Mayo said yes.” 

A first donation of €7,500 was made on Monday 24 August, with an additional €2,000 added to the GoFundMe on Tuesday when more clubs came forward with gate receipts.

Online tickets were sold during the week through two dedicated links, with 100% of all proceeds going directly to the GoFundMe organised by Ella’s good friend Bryan Curley.

Donation buckets were also placed at grounds across the county, while some clubs contributed their entire gate receipts from GAA and LGFA matches across the weekend.

“What happened at gates and on pitches across this county last weekend tells you exactly what our association is for,” Ms Stagg said.

“€9,500 is a remarkable sum to raise in a few days from a county run entirely by volunteers, but the money is only part of it. We wanted Niamh and her family to know that they are not on their own and that the whole of Mayo LGFA is standing with them in this time of unimaginable difficulty,” she added.

At the time of writing, more than €790,000 has been raised through the GoFundMe, with notable donations including €2,000 each from Carlow businesses Sun Arc Solar Systems and Ray Whelan Ltd, as well as a further €1,000 donation from the Dinn Rí Hotel.

On Tuesday 25 August, a statement from the Kinsella and Hendricken families was published on the GoFundMe page, thanking people for the kindness and generosity shown over the previous two weeks.

“Right now, our focus is completely on the girls and being together as a family. We aren’t ready to share any further details at this stage and we really appreciate everyone continuing to respect our privacy. What we did want to do was personally acknowledge the incredible support we’ve received,” the statement said.

The statement continued: “Seeing so many people come together for the girls has meant more to us than we could ever properly put into words. Thank you for continuing to keep Ella, Niamh and Alma in your thoughts and for all the love and support you’ve shown our family. With love and gratitude, Clare and family.”