'Longest coffee morning' in the world to be held in memory of Saoirse Ruane
Fundraiser for Irish Cancer Society from morn ‘til midnight
THE 10th annual longest coffee ‘morning’ in the world in Pallasgreen will be in special memory of Saoirse Ruane, who captured the nation’s hearts on The Late Late Show.
The 12-year-old Galway girl passed away from cancer earlier this month. Mike O’Donoghue, who organises the event, said Saoirse was due to come to Pallasgreen to plant a tree and unveil a plaque for all those affected by cancer, last year.
“She couldn’t come down because she got a setback. We became great friends through our fundraiser. As a group we used to send her cards and Mass cards. We got candles lit in Lourdes and we got gifts in Lourdes for her. We kept in contact constantly.
"Our 10th event fundraiser will be in tribute to her and we will light a special candle for her,” said Mike, who thinks of Saoirse every time he sees the tree she was due to plant.
Mike started the unique fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society with local girls Saoirse Corbett, Tara Campbell, Sarah Dillon in 2015.
This year’s event take places this Friday, March 22 in Mike’s Pallasgreen home (V94AP0). All are welcome to his wheelchair-friendly abode to have a cup of tea or coffee, enjoy a slice of cake or bun and donate however much they like.
There is also a GoFundMe page.
Mike’s team of volunteers has grown over the years with Ellie and Sarah Phelan, Aine Looby, Mike O’Riordan joining the ranks.
This year they welcome Mike’s 15-year-old grandniece Lily McMahon. They even kept it going through Covid by substituting the coffee 'morning' for a sleep-out and fast.
“I can’t say enough about them. They are special people. The work they put into it is incredible and they wouldn’t miss it for the world. They are coming back from Dublin, Cork and as far away as Letterkenny for Friday,” said Mike.
Over the nine years a total of €82,163 has been donated to the Irish Cancer Society. In 2019, they received a certificate after creating a world record for the longest coffee day ever in the world - 17 hours and 20 minutes.
Last year, the first person arrived at 7.30am and the last left around midnight. Mike said they will cut a ribbon and light candles on Friday but “it is not about our 10 years, it is about fundraising for the Irish Cancer Society”.
“We will have a remembrance board where you can write the name of a loved one or friend who has been affected by cancer in any way. Mass will be said for all of them at a later date,” he said.