Home town support for Tipperary man taking on huge challenge in memory of his daughter

Parents Aoife and John with David Anchell and Team of One member Daragh Kelly at a fundraiser at the Donoghmore Club hosted by Camida

placeholder image — Parents Aoife and John with David Anchell and Team of One member Daragh Kelly at a fundraiser at the Donoghmore Club hosted by Camida

Atlantic row fundraiser organised by Camida

The home town of John O’Driscoll has given great support to the family in their bid to raise funds for children born with congenital heart disease (CHD) and raise awareness of organ donation.

On Friday night last Camida hosted a fundraising event to support the cause at the Donoghmore Club.

The link up between Camida and the O’Driscoll family came about by chance.

SILDENAFIL

John O’Driscoll was reading a profile article on David Anchell,Camida Managing Director written by Martin O’Connor that appeared in The Nationalist which mentioned the role of Camida in a drug called Sildenafil, a drug that kept his daughter Saoirse alive for 13 years before she passed away in April this year.

John contacted David Anchell as Camida was located in his home town of Clonmel to reach out to him on the possibility of using his contacts in the pharmaceutical industry to get corporate sponsorship for the Atlantic crossing endeavour.

A link with the RATS arts group who held their meetings in the Donoghmore Club was behind the location for the fundraising night and David Anchell was trying to identify a good cause to raise funds for when John got in touch.

Atlantic row bid by Tipperary father in memory of 'superhero ' Saoirse

PERFECT TIMING

“The minute John got in touch it was obvious that we had a cause to give the funds to. It was perfect timing,” said David Anchell.

“Our company has been involved in the story of some of the world's biggest drugs and Sildenafil, (the generic of the drug Viagra), is one of the biggest ever,” said David Anchell.

David Anchell said that the original use of the drug was for serious heart conditions and it is still used for those reasons.

“To know that the drug was responsible for giving such a wonderful person as Saoirse thirteen years of life is a source of joy to everybody involved with the drug in the industry. It is hugely rewarding work,” said David Anchell.

Now living in Dublin after leaving Clonmel some years ago, John said he was astonished by the heartfelt welcome his family received from fellow Clonmel people last Friday night.

“The kindness and solidarity extended to our family mean more than words can express, and the generous donation will help us to continue making a difference in Saoirse’s name in a powerful and lasting way.

“We are profoundly touched and deeply humbled by the incredible generosity of Camida in choosing to donate the proceeds from their charity event to support our row across the Atlantic in memory of our beloved daughter. As a proud Clonmel native, born and raised in this close-knit community, I was overwhelmed by the warmth and support shown by the Clonmel Rowing Club, the RATS group, and their outstanding sponsor, Camida.”