DCU telethon boosts cancer charity

Orla Dwyer

A DCU student society raised over €9,000 for a children’s cancer charity at its annual 24 hour broadcast on November 30. 

Students in the Media Production Society (MPS) stayed awake for a full 24 hours to raise money for Aoibheann’s Pink Tie through programmes, games and challenges, and it was all streamed online. The broadcast takes place annually on the campus based in Glasnevin. 

Ross McCarney, a final year Media and English student and DCUtv station manager in the society, said he was incredibly proud of the broadcast. 

“I couldn’t be more delighted that we were able to make such a difference for such an incredible charity like Aoibheann’s Pink Tie,” he said.

“Having exceeded our target and having seen the incredible standard of content made this year, being able to stand there with everyone at the end of the 24 hours was an incredible feeling.”

Aoibheann’s Pink Tie is a children’s cancer charity set up in 2010 by Mick Rochford and Jimmy Norman. Jimmy’s daughter Aoibheann tragically died from cancer at the age of eight. Jimmy wanted to give more financial and practical support to people than he had received in that situation.  

The charity was suggested by committee members, Cathal O’Rourke and Sarah O’Dwyer. 

“When I was a child I learned that my father had lost his older brother in his youth due to cancer,” said Cathal.

“He died very shortly after his diagnosis, the reason for this being his family didn’t have the financial means to pay for his treatment. I don’t think any family should ever have to be put into the position where they cannot pay for the treatment of their child’s disease, so I’m delighted that we’ve chosen Aoibheann’s Pink Tie as our charity this year.”

Co-founder of the charity Mick Rochford was delighted with the students and said that the funds would be especially helpful during this month as it is their busiest. 

“Everybody that’s helped right from the start has been amazing,” he said. “It’s incredible.” 

The money will be used to help pay for a respite house the charity is buying next to Crumlin Children’s Hospital. 

“It has to be completely fitted out on the inside with a sensory room and other things,” said Mick. “It also needs car parking and obviously a sterile unit for infection control purposes.”

Mick further expressed his gratitude to the DCU students for everything and wished everyone involved a happy Christmas. 

The students had raised €8,789.90 at 9pm on Saturday when the broadcast finished. This has since increased to over €9,000 through further donations, far more than their target of €7,000. The charity receives no Government funding and runs mainly through volunteer work. 

Chairperson of the DCU society Hannah Gallagher said that she couldn’t be any prouder of everybody involved and the amount raised. 

“My highlight was seeing how much fun everyone had throughout the night, emotions were high for many but that did not stop everyone who was sleep-deprived, we powered through and did an amazing thing,” she said. 

Secretary of the society Sarah O’Dwyer said that they always choose a charity close to their hearts. 

“The charity itself does fantastic work and offers practical support to the families of children battling cancer,” she said. 

Last year, the society raised over €10,000 for SOSAD, a charity focusing on suicide and depression.