Donegal man puts in a shift to raise the bar for Epilepsy Ireland

Epilepsy Ireland have thanked Moville man Anthony Kelly for a novel #NoBreaksWithEpilepsy fundraising challenge he completed in November.

Anthony, who works in Air Emissions Testing, with Element Materials Technology Dublin, took advantage of the company’s volunteering day initiative to develop the idea of a campaign entitled #NoBreaksWithEpilepsy.

When Anthony was a student in Galway he worked at the student bar Barr An Chaladh. For his challenge, Anthony reprised his role behind the bar to volunteer a 15-hour shift on one of their busiest days of the year to raise funds for Epilepsy Ireland, with a total of 16 hours completed on the day.

READ NEXT: Appeal lodged with planning body over Buncrana energy storage project

Speaking about the idea, Anthony said: “With my sister living with epilepsy for over a decade, I have seen first-hand how there can be no breaks with the condition – between seizures, managing side-effects, getting to appointments and everything else in between. I have also seen how my family have lent on Epilepsy Ireland for information and support over many years and with the opportunity to take a volunteering day at work, that is where the idea came from.”

With a countertop collection box in the bar and an online fundraising page, as well as the bartenders' tips from the day and a contribution from the bar going towards the funds raised, a massive €2,755 was raised in support of Epilepsy Ireland.

“I am absolutely over the moon with the amount raised – I never thought it would be anywhere near that figure. I was delighted to get back and get involved in such a great day. It was surprising to hear from many people on the day about their personal experiences with epilepsy,”

Anthony explained, before expressing his thanks to everyone who donated: “I know a lot of people from home supported me through the online page so a huge thank you to everyone who donated. A particular word of thanks to my employers Element, Barr An Chaladh for facilitating this challenge and the Coffee Tree in Derry for pledging an hourly donation as part of the challenge.

"Also thanks to St. Patrick's GS Carndonagh and Scoil Eoghain Moville for gathering funds among staff. I know from speaking to the team at Epilepsy Ireland and from my family’s personal experience that funds raised will be put to good use in supporting people with epilepsy across Ireland”.

Anthony Kelly presenting funds raised to Epilepsy Ireland Advocacy & Communications Manager, Paddy McGeoghegan

Thanking Anthony, Epilepsy Ireland Advocacy and Communications Manager – and fellow Donegal man, who is from the Isle of Doagh - Paddy McGeoghegan said, “With an estimated 1,400 people living with epilepsy in Donegal and 45,000 nationally, the funds raised by Anthony will be vital in helping continue our work across the country - be it for our support and information services; our training and education programmes; our awareness and advocacy campaigns or our investment in Irish epilepsy research.

“Having worked in a bar for many years, I can certainly appreciate that working 15 hours straight on one of the busiest days of the year is no mean feat – so it was fantastic to see Anthony’s challenge so well supported. On behalf of Epilepsy Ireland, I would like to say a huge thank you to Anthony and everyone who supported his challenge.”