Public urged to aid Longford father's 'Journey to Recovery' in midst of cancer fight

Father of five Johnny Maguire was given the heartbreaking news he had Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma weeks after initially believing his symptoms were linked to a severe case of tonsillitis.

Upon closer inspection, doctors found the former St Mel's student had a sizable tumour from his nose to the back of his throat.

Given the intrusive nature of his condition, a decision was taken to seek alternative treatment in Mexico in a bid to ensure Johnny is there for his partner and five children.

A Gofundme page, fittingly named 'Johnny's Journey to Recovery' has so far raised over €16,000.

However, with time very much against them, many of Johnny's close friends and family have organised a number of events over the coming weeks to try and fast-track their fundraising drive.

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A motorbike run, starting at Longford's N4 Axis Centre to the Kinnegad Plaza in Co Westmeath with a number heading onto the Sally Gap in Wicklow, was held on Saturday morning as part of that quest.

Dozens of bikers turned out to throw their weight behind the campaign, despite the indifferent weather conditions.

Stephen Guy, who together with his wife Jenna, organised Saturday's fundraiser, said the whole community were behind his friend's battle for survival.

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“I’d know Johnny down through the years through a mutual friend,” he said.

“He’s a man with a young family and if you can help out you’ll do anything you can.”

Johnny's sister, Marie, who flew home from Australia after setting up the GoFundMe page, said the focus was very much on acceleraing the 38-year-old's surivial hopes.

“That's what we are trying to do, raise as much as we can as quickly as we can,” she said. “Johnny's in good form and we had a movie night last night (Sunday).”

Marie has been in almost daily contact with doctors from the Hope4Cancer Hospital in Playas de Tijuana in Mexico where the family are hoping Johnny will be able to undergo his treatment.

Marie said the money raised will allow her to travel alongside her brother to Mexico while also offsetting the costs for Johnny’s alternative immunotherapy treatment.

“He is a young man with a young family and we are all right behind him,” she added.

*As part of 'Johnny's Journey to Recovery', a 'Battle of the DJs' will take place this Friday night (August 11) in Longford's Spiral Tree Nightclub from 9pm.

To donate to the online GoFundMe appeal, simply follow the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pkm78q-johnnys-journey-to-recovery