Mayo teens' tractor run raises over €17,000 for hospice

MAYO teenagers Tiernan Moyles and Shane Gallagher, both aged 14, from Achill, have raised an astonishing €17,395.85 for Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.

They had hoped that their tractor run would raise €500 and they ended up raising 34 times that!

Both students at Coláiste Pobail Acla, Tiernan and Shane were motivated to raise funds for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation following the death of Tiernan’s great-uncle John Toolis from Crumpaun, Achill, and Shane’s grandfather, Vincent Gallagher, from The Valley, Achill.

Both John and Vincent had received exceptional care at Mayo Hospice and the teenagers wanted to do something to honour their memories, while at the same time giving something back to the organisation.

Tiernan and Shane have always shared a love of agriculture and have a passion for tractors, and they organised the tractor run in just two and a half weeks with help from their families and the wider community.

The Achill Agri Festive Run took place on December 28, leaving from Ted’s at 4 p.m. and journeying through Keel, Crumpaun, Ballanasally, Dugort, Valley and back to Ted’s, where refreshments were served. Almost 100 vehicles registered on the day, with a huge turnout of tractors, trucks and cars.

Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said: “Tiernan and Shane are just fantastic. The enthusiasm, drive and passion from both of them has been exceptional.

“We are absolutely delighted they have chosen Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and we are thrilled with their hugely generous donation.

“I also want to thank everyone in the community who donated. This donation will go a long way in supporting our patients, who have life limiting illnesses, ensuring we provide the best facilities possible to both them and their families.”