A special fundraiser is uniting people in Donegal and Melbourne in memory of Mary Ellen Molloy, a much-loved young woman who passed away last Christmas.
Mary Ellen, from Ardara, died at the age of 26 following a tragic car accident in Melbourne, where she been working as a psychiatric nurse.
Mary Ellen is dearly missed by her parents Terence and Angela, brothers John Ross and Karl Joseph and her wide circle of family and friends.
This St Stephen’s Day, a “Walk With Me” 5km walk/run event will be held in six locations in Donegal from 12noon to raise funds and promote awareness for Downstrands Family Resource Centre counselling services for people who have lost loved ones. Funds will also be donated to The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, whose services support bereaved families in the event of the sudden death of a loved one abroad.
John Ross Molloy, Mary Ellen’s younger brother, is organising the event, which aims to celebrate Mary Ellen’s life and to remember all loved ones who have passed.
On the other side of the world, a community came together last weekend to ‘Walk with Me’ along a trail in Melbourne.
This Saturday in Donegal, walks will begin from 12 noon to 3pm at Pearse Memorial Park Ardara, Narin Beach, Meenaneary Community Centre, Blue Haven Kilcar, Ionad Fiontraíochta Sliabh Liag and Lough Eske Castle. Due to Covid-19, all participants are asked to adhere to social-distancing.
Writing on GoFundMe (click here to visit), John Ross said: “Comprehending such a tragic loss, so sudden and unfair, has felt to be impossible on some days.
“Some of us reached out to counselling services, which has proved invaluable in the healing process.
“Making time and talking to each other is what is getting us through this, just as we had done so many times with Mary Ellen.
“We wanted to do something in her memory so we decided on a walk, as it would join us all together as family, friends, community, to spend time with each other.
“Inspired by her, we wanted this walk to be in memory of all our loved ones who have passed away, called “Walk with M.E.” We are so grateful to have such amazing counselling services, in the Downstrands Family Recourse Centre available to help us, we want to help back, by fundraising for them and to raise awareness on mental health , considering Mary Ellen’s career and her belief in counselling, and how this service can help people smile again, this just seems right the right idea to to remember Mary Ellen.”
To donate to the GoFundMe page please visit: https://gofund.me/9723c31a
