PRESENTATION College Headford Sixth Year students present a cheque to Tuam Cancer Care manager Maureen Grealish following a soccer tournament held in the school before Christmas. Also pictured are school principal Fiona Gallagher and teacher Robbie Barrett.

STUDENTS ON TARGET

Soccer blitz raises funds for cause close to Headford school’s heart

A SCHOOL soccer tournament had special significance for the local community when students raised €1,500 for a charity close to Presentation College Headford hearts.

Leaving Cert students organised the event with their teacher Robbie Barrett with the aim of helping a local charity that had special significance in the school.

Principal Fiona Gallagher is currently recovering from a cancer diagnosis and when told of the soccer tournament, she suggested that all funds raised would go to Tuam Cancer Care, where she has received help and support over the past 14 months.

The school also lost a beloved teacher and colleague last year to the disease when Cliona Kelly passed away after a long illness. Her memory was also close to everyone’s heart during the tournament held in the last days of the school term.

“I received my diagnosis in December 2022 and that was the start of a journey that would test all aspects of my character,” said Fiona.

“But with the continuous and unbroken support of my family, friends and the PCH school community, I found an inner strength I did not know existed. Surviving cancer is a major accomplishment and a year on from that devastating doctor’s appointment the world looks a different place.”

Fiona suggested Tuam Cancer Care as the charity to benefit from the tournament, which was a tremendous success in the school…

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