WATCH: Hundreds turn out for ‘Shine a Light for Eoin’ solidarity walk
Eoin Egan's former primary school classmates led the solidarity walk at Moore FC grounds on Friday evening.
Hundreds of people turned out for a solidarity walk in Moore on Friday night as part of a fundraising initiative to support a local man, Eoin Egan, who is battling motor neurone disease (MND).
Eoin (43), who has lived and worked in London since 2009, was diagnosed with MND in June 2020.
Eoin, his brother Emmet, who also lives in London, and Scotland-based cousin Eddie Egan tuned in live to watch the community turn out in large numbers for the 5k ‘Shine a Light for Eoin’ walk at Moore United soccer grounds.
The walk, led by his former 1995 classmates from St. Ciaran’s National School, coincided with the launch of a GoFundMe fundraising page to support Eoin, his wife Jenny and their two children, Liam and Róisín.
The large crowd comprised many of Eoin’s immediate and wider family members, including his mother Geraldine and sister Ethel.
The event culminated in a light display to capture the theme of the evening.
Before a number of speeches got underway, an emotional thank you message from Eoin was read out to the crowd: “I am incredibly lucky to have such a kind hearted and fabulous group in my class at St Ciarans NS, Moore. This event says more about you than anything I ever could. I could never have dreamed that anything like this would happen. I certainty don’t feel alone or forgotten, quite the opposite. Thank you all for this expression of solidarity and love, it really means the world to me. Thank you so much.”
In May, the Roscommon Herald covered Eoin’s’ remarkable story in pioneering a thought-controlled wheelchair after receiving a groundbreaking brain implant. His story of resilience inspired his local community to rally around Eoin and to support him and his family in whatever way they can.
One of the organisers, Eoghan Kenny, explained how the charity event came about:
Watch the ‘Shine a Light’ Walk:
Donations can be made to the . Other fundraising events are also being planned to support Eoin and his family, including a community spinathon taking place in September.
See full coverage of Friday's event in next Tuesday’s edition of the Roscommon Herald.
