Brave bunch of Longford volunteers climb Mount Errigal in Donegal for ABI Ireland

A brave bunch of volunteers headed for the summit of Mount Errigal in Donegal on Saturday, August 17 for a sponsored climb, organised by the Lisryan Tidy Village, and in aid of a very worthwhile charity, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.

Brain injury can happen to anyone, at any time. It could be your mother/father. It could be your brother or your sister. It could even be you.

ABI Ireland believes every brain injury survivor should have the chance to rebuild their life and live it to the fullest, and they will never stop campaigning to make that belief a reality.

Brain injury doesn’t just affect the person who acquires it. It impacts the lives of their family, friends and loved ones too, as they come to terms with its physical, psychological and emotional effects.

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There is hardly a family in the country that hasn’t been touched by acquired brain injury, including through a stroke, road traffic accident, fall, tumour or assault. 52 people in Ireland acquire a brain injury every single day, yet it remains a hidden phenomenon in society.

This is all too relevant to families in the Lisryan locality and none more so than the O’Hara family.

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Dave and Orla O’Hara completed the climb in memory of Dave’s cousin, Eoghán Doherty, who sadly passed away earlier this year and who had been supported by ABI Ireland throughout a substantial part of his life. Eoghán’s memory certainly lives on and the Lisryan community and Tidy Village committee are very privileged to be in a position to help in keeping it alive.

Caption: Paul and Claire Anderson on Mount Errigal in Donegal

The expert teams in ABI Ireland support individuals and families recovering from the impacts of brain injury by offering services and tools that help them live their fullest lives with confidence.

They do this by providing a range of expert clinical services and supports specific to the needs of each person with a brain injury, with individually-designed rehabilitation plans that assist them in reaching their goals. They also provide information, training and practical help to those living with an acquired brain injury, as well as their carers and healthcare professionals.

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Lisryan Tidy Village committee Chairperson Angela Mulligan said, “I cannot thank the volunteers enough for their continued commitment and to the community as a whole for their enthusiasm and continued support for all the events we organise throughout the year.

“That is two mountains climbed so far in aid of charities and watch this space for next year’s event, or maybe you would like to get involved too. If so, follow our social media platforms or email lisryantidyvillagegroup @gmail.com and join our great team of volunteers.”

MAIN PHOTO CAPTION: Claire Anderson, Karen Holly, Paul Anderson, Eamon Campbell, Patricia Gettings, Sharon Gettings, Eugene Fitzpatrick, Olive Buckley, Padraig O’Brien, Karen Scally, Orla O’Hara, Aideen Campbell and Dave O’Hara who took park in the sponsored climb in aid of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland Below: Paul and Claire Anderson on Mount Errigal in Donegal

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