Large turnout in Letterkenny on Tuesday morning to support Fr Tony Coote on his long trek to Ballydehob in Cork to raise funds and awareness of Motor Neurone Disease in Ireland. Supporters included, his mother Pat Coote and brother Ciaran Coote, Cllr. Seamus O’Domhnaill, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Ian McGarvey, Mayor of Letterkenny MD, Donegal Rose Niamh Duggan and Michael Murphy Donegal Captain. Photo Clive Wasson.
Fr Tony Coote received a warm send off on Tuesday morning from Letterkenny as he makes his way south to Ballydehob in Cork in a bid to highlight the plight of Motor Neurone Disease sufferers in Ireland.
Following his own recent diagnosis with the disease, the plucky priest is taking on the challenge of walking the 550km distance between the two towns and under the banner of ‘Walk While You Can’ and the hashtag #walkwithtony. He is asking for walkers and well-wishers in each county along the way to support him in raising €250,000 to help fund care and research into combating the disease, for which there is no cure.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Seamus O’Domhnaill was on hand to wish Fr. Tony Coote every best in his challenge and described the priest as an inspiration.
“You can’t help but be inspired by Fr. Tony Coote. In the face of such a traumatic diagnosis Fr. Coote has the courage and the determination to do something positive to help others and to raise much needed funds for those suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. He is a truly inspirational character.”
Cllr. O’Domhnaill was joined by Mayor of Letterkenny Cllr. Ian McGarvey, Donegal Rose Niamh Duggan and Donegal Senior Football captain Michael Murphy as well as Fr Tony’s mother Pat and his brother Ciaran along with many other supporters and well wishers.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to come out and support Fr. Tony and his team along this arduous journey.”
Fr Tony will make his way through Donegal with send off’s at 9.30am at McElhinney’s in Ballybofey on Wednesday morning, St. Patrick’s Church in Donegal Ton on Thursday morning and Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Bundoran on Saturday morning.
For more on Fr. Tony Coote, his story so far and this initiative visit www.wwyc.ie.
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