Gardai raise €15,600 for ‘As Darragh Did’ charity

GARDAI from Clondalkin Garda Station handed over a cheque for an incredible €15,600 for the charity ‘As Darragh Did’ following their 130km cycle in October last year.

The gardai handed over the cheque to Andrew McGinley on Wednesday, February 9, who set up the charity ‘As Darragh Did’ in remembrance of one of his children Darragh who tragically passed away in January 2020.

Eighteen garda took on the 130km cycle to Athlone on October 16, 2021.

Garda Niamh Connaughton, who is the family liaison officer for Andrew McGinley, told The Echo that the idea for the cycle came about as they wanted to do something together to raise money for the charity which benefits local clubs and community projects.

“It was great handing the cheque over – I can’t believe the amount that we raised,” said Niamh. “It was brilliant and the support we received from everyone was great, the lads did a big push on it.

“I just want to say a thanks to obviously the lads who participated in the cycle but also to the people who supported us on the day of the cycle along the route who cheered us on and helped us out.

“There were different places we stopped, and everyone was really good to us. Also, a thank you to our own internal garda management and the roads policing unit who got us down safely.”

The ‘As Darragh Did’ charity came about after Andrew made a promise to his children that he would continue to do what they loved most to remember them and honour their memory. Previously speaking to The Echo, Andrew said that the idea to start the charities in honour of his children came about after he began thinking of promises he had made to them.

The charity was set up in memory of Darragh, who was involved in a number of local activities, such as Rathcoole Boys and St Marys GAA in Saggart.

“The three legacy projects that I am doing to honour the children came to me the night that Conor, Darragh and Carla passed away,” Andrew told The Echo previously.

“I was standing there thinking about the last time I held them and the last time I kissed them and spoke to them, and I started thinking about the last promises I had made to them that I hadn’t got around to keeping.

“You always make promises to your children and these three particular promises got into my head and it has been what has helped me put one foot in front of the other and to move forward.”

For more information about ‘As Darragh Did’ you can go to the website at www.asdarraghdid.ie/.

‘As Darragh Did’ first funding round for 2022 is now open for applications from clubs and groups across Ireland who are aiming to increase participation in their communities.