Local players attend irish soccer Transplant team sponsorship

LOCAL irish Transplant soccer team members, John brennan and Andrew Gallagher, were in attendance as sONAs bathrooms announced their sponsorship of the soccer Transplant Team ireland. The aim of this team of remarkable individuals is to emphasise the positive power of donating organs. The team is made up of players throughout ireland who have undergone transplants of organs such as the heart, double lungs, liver, kidney, and bone marrow.

soccer Transplant Team ireland were delighted to finish runners-up at their inaugural soccer transplant tournament in solihull birmingham, organised by Transplant sport uK. The team now look forward now to representing ireland in July in the british Transplant games in Coventry, and have an eye to the World

easter ‘bunny run’ Fun at Dundalk iT junior parkrun

ON easter sunday morning, almost 50 kids between 4 and 14 enjoyed an unusually healthy start to the day as they scampered around the 2k Dundalk iT junior parkrun course in the sports Grounds at DkiT. Arriving to a themed morning with extra treats is not unusual for these kids and their families, and easter sunday was no exception! As they made their way around the usual course, they found mini easter egg tokens and when they hopped over the finish line, they ‘cashed them in’ for a special easter goody bag.

“it was great to have such a healthy start to the usual chocolate-filled day on Easter Sunday,” laughed elaine McCann, mother of 9 year old Cian and 14 year old Aine. “i started taking the kids to junior parkrun so we’d have something active to do together, and with regular wee events like this throughout the year, the kids are dragging me out of bed every week now!” junior parkrun event director sarah Mc eneaney said, “This is a fantastic free event to encourage families in the community to regularly get out and active throughout the year. People can run or walk the course. We want to make it fun and inclusive, and the ‘bunny run’ is just one of the many events we hold. We welcome anyone to register their kids and join us on a sunday morning as we move into those lovely spring mornings.”

For more information on Junior Parkrun DkiT please visit the following links; Website; https://www.parkrun.ie/dundalkit-juniors/ email; dundalkitjuniors@parkrun.com speaking at the announcement of the sponsorship, team captain and heart transplant recipient, John brennan, said “We are a mixed group brought together by the gift of organ donation. representing the country gives huge motivation for those on organ waiting lists to stay well, joy to those who spent their childhoods in and out of hospital; denied of the opportunity to participate in childhood sport and provides a wonderful framework of support, training and brotherhood for us all. We have huge plans for this team and welcome the support of sonas bathrooms.”

Transplant Games in italy in March 2024.

He continued “Whilst our stories are unique, each of us shares a common bond of facing adversity. Team ireland showcases the success of organ donation and transplanta- tion whilst offering inspiration to those who are newly transplanted or newly diagnosed with organ failure. Once they are twelve months post-transplant, we hope some might consider joining the team. We welcome all levels of fitness even if someone just has the capacity to spend a few minutes on the pitch that’s their achievement.”

CeO of sonas, richard sloan said “When this opportunity was brought to us through one of the sonas team here whose brother is involved, we didn’t give it a second thought. The Transplant Games show us what the gift of organ donation does. These athletes are the living embodiment of the generosity of others. it is a genuine privilege for sonas to support the bravery of these extraordinary men and the wonderful families who have supported them, both their own families and the families of the organ donors.”

“We have been inspired by the team and our sponsorship is just the beginning. We hope to use all our channels including our own employees and the wide network of bathroom retailers, builders and plumbers merchants we work with to help spread the vital message of the importance of organ donation.” soccer Transplant Team ireland have asked people to please have the conversation with your loved ones and consider carrying a physical or digital organ donor card, by searching “Digital Organ Donor Card” on your app store. For more information on the team, search for soccer Transplant Team ireland on Facebook or visit www.soccertransplantteamireland.ie.