NEXT MONTH, 12 Gardai will row from Dublin Port to Holyhead in a fundraising challenge – The Chris Crossing – in memory of the son of a former Finn Harps goalkeeper.
Chris Byrne passed away in March of this year following a battle with a brain tumor.
Next month, the dozen Gardai – from Store Street, Terenure and Phoenix Park – will take part in the row to raise funds for the National Neurosurgical Centre at Beaumont Hospital.
Chris Byrne’s wife, Caroline, is a Garda and Chris was the son of former Harps goalkeeper Jody Byrne.
Picture caption: Jody Byrne and Richard Sadlier at the launch.
[adrotate group=”38″]In 1997/98, Byrne played 33 times for Harps, including the FAI Cup semi-final against Shelbourne and the subsequent replay, when Stephen Geoghegan scored a penalty while Byrne was still readying himself.
Now, Byrne is seeking held for this fundraising venture.
By texting BEAUMONT to 50300 you can donate €4 to the cause.
[adrotate group=”43″]Chris was diagnosed with a brain tumour four weeks after he and Caroline had their first child, Harry.
In the following year, Chris underwent two neurosurgeries in Beaumont Hospital followed by radio and chemotherapy but sadly passed away in March.
Via this 12-15 hour crossing of the Irish Sea, the team of Gardai hope to raise around €50,000.
Patients with neuro conditions from all over Ireland are referred to Beaumont Hospital to access the expertise of its eleven neurosurgeons and each year, some 450 patients undergo neurosurgery for the removal of brain tumours.
