Over €100,000 raised in Longford firefighter's desperate fight against cancer

A gofundme appeal aimed at supporting a Longford fireman’s desperate fight against incurable cancer has raised over €100,000 inside the space of three weeks.

Father of one Fintan McDonald’s life was turned upside down at the end of January when a niggling pain in his right hip turned out to be stage four sarcoma.

Typically rare, sarcomas are rare forms of cancer that develop in the bones and soft tissue which, in many instances, result in being difficult to treat and aggressive in nature.

Fintan, who has just completed his fourth session of radiotherapy, has been told he will require long term treatment in order to keep a lid on his cancer and prolong his life for as long as possible.

A gofundme appeal entitled McDonald Family Support Fund was set up at the end of last month in a bid to provide financial respite to Fintan, his wife Edel and the couple’s two year-old son Fintan.

A heartbreaking post on the fundraising online platform on behalf of friends of the McDonald family, told of the huge emotional and financial toll Fintan’s devastating diagnosis has brought.

“This is sure to be a long, arduous road for the McDonald family and they are in need of our friendship and support now more than ever,” read the post.

“Fintan and Edel are always first to help others in need and now they are in need and we are asking for your help and support.

“The bills don't stop and in this current climate it’s even more difficult."

To date, over €106,000 has been raised in support of the 44-year-old, more than double what the campaign had originally set out to generate.

In a bid to strengthen those efforts further, two major events are planned for this Sunday with a tractor run scheduled from 1pm at Abbeyshrule’s Rustic Inn.

At the same time, a charity soccer match aptly dubbed ‘The Battle for Battler’ is due to get underway between Carrickboy Celtic and Ballymahon AFC at the latter’s home grounds.

Meanwhile, a mega raffle in aid of the McDonald Family Support Fund has also been set up, prizes among which include a family break to Center Parcs Longford Forest and two weekend tickets to July’s Forever Young Festival.

“We are hoping to raise money to support Edel and Fintan in this difficult time with their finances and any medical bills that may arise to try and alleviate some of the pressure and stress during this horrendous time in their lives.

“Their whole world has just been shattered.”

Donations to the gofundme appeal McDonald Family Support Fund can be made online while tickets for the mega raffle can be obtained by following the link: https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/McDonaldMegaRaffle