In Pictures: Donegal student nurse ‘over the moon’ with African hospital fundraiser

A young woman from Drimarone is heading for Tanzania to carry out a nursing work placement in a Paediatric Oncology Unit. She will be caring for children and families facing cancer in an incredibly challenging healthcare setting, and she is on a mission to raise as much money as she can for the hospital. Part of this fundraising drive was a quiz which took place in the Central Hotel in Donegal Town on Saturday, March 21. Click on the arrows to see Siobhan McGowan's photos from the evening:

Molly McGroary is a second year student at DCU where she is studying to become a paediatric and general nurse. She is carrying out her work placement in Africa in a programme organised through the university. 

She says: “Before Christmas we were given the opportunity to put ourselves forward to be chosen to take part in a four-week clinical placement in the hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It’s called Muhimbili National Hospital. 

“So myself and another girl in my class named Jessica Oboh from Kilkenny are the two from our class that are going over. 

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“The trip is in partnership with Their Lives Matter organisation (TLM) and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). But everything is self funded. We started off raising money for flights, visas, accommodation, vaccinations etc. But we also wanted to give something back to the hospital so we went in with the mindset of the more we raise, the more we can give back. 

“We knew we’d get over there one way or another but to give back to the hospital is the most important thing.”

Both women are carrying out fundraisers in their local communities, and they also hope to raise funds through an event at DCU. 

The quiz in the Central Hotel raised €1,290. 

“There were between 80 and 90 people who showed up for it,” said Molly. “ I was absolutely over the moon.

There is also a gofundme page which has raised more than €5,600. Anyone who would like to contribute can do so at gofund.me/79dff3efb

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