Two young Roscommon farming brothers have raised more than €80,000 for cancer charities in memory of their late mother.

Martin (17) and Shane (15) Glennon are fifth-generation farmers from a mixed farm in south Roscommon, where they keep sucklers and sheep and breed pedigree Simmentals under the Marhsa prefix.

Their mother Cathy sadly died after a six-week illness with cancer in October 2020.

Cathy was known for her community, GAA and soccer involvement, so her boys instinctively reacted by organising a charity fundraiser in her memory.

"Mam was a 'go-to' person, a leader and a great supporter of ours and others. Mam and dad instilled great values in us and we are extremely proud of her," the boys said.

Driving on for Cathy

Their virtual tractor run 'Driving on for Cathy' campaign saw people posting pictures of their tractors from all over Ireland and even as far away as America, Switzerland, Australia and Vietnam.

The two, who are in school in Garbally College in Ballinasloe, also ran an online auction, with prizes ranging from AI straws to embryos, fertiliser to timber, and even a lamb for the freezer.

In all, the pair raised €81,850 and the proceeds were shared between the Irish Cancer Society, the Galway Hospice and the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice.

Shane and Martin said: “We never expected to raise this amount of money, we thought we might raise €5,000 but never anticipated €80,000!

"This money will help a lot of families through the services provided by the hospice and The Irish Cancer Society.”

They thanked all who supported their ventures, including the community of Moore and surrounding parishes, Aughrim and Padraig Pearse's GAA club.

Farming support

Above all, the boys attribute the success of their fundraiser to the support they received from their peers and fellow farming community.

"There is no better group to come out and show support like the rural community and the farmers," the boys remarked.

"We know that due to COVID-19 funding was down by €4m for the Irish Cancer Society in 2020 and we are glad to help out," said Martin.

CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Martina Jennings said the brothers showed great strength in organising this event so soon after the passing of their mum Cathy.

There is no better group to come out and show support like the rural community and the farmers

“What they have done by raising this total is ensure so many people get the same care that Cathy did within our palliative care service.

"One-hundred percent of the money raised by Driving on for Cathy will go directly to providing palliative care services in Mayo and Roscommon and we cannot thank Martin and Shane enough for what they’ve done,” she said.

Galway Hospice director of fundraising and communications Charlene Hurley said the money would help it care for over 1,000 people with life-limiting illnesses in 2021.