Latest Laois Event: Local Farmers get together for a great cause
Farmers Fight For Johnny’s Girls
About the group
A group made up of farmers engaging in various enterprises
Conor Mitchell – a secondary teacher who farms a mixture of pedigree and commercial sucklers
Keith Bracken – a secondary teacher who farms a mixture of pedigree and commercial sucklers
Padraig O’Dwyer – full time suckler farmer
Francis Finn – part-time tillage farmer
Micheal Finlay – dairy farmer/ owner moo cow fresh milk
Cathal Bannon – dairy farmer and pedigree aubrac breeder
John Behan- from a farming childhood and has done exceptional work on our online platforms
What are we raffling?
Peppa the Belgian Blue X Limo cross heifer is the top prize. She was named by Johnnys girls Riley and Darcey. Other prizes include vouchers for: Glanbia, Quinns , Solas eco garden shop, as well as a water trough from midlands vet Portarlington and a trailer load of fire wood.
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Why are we doing the raffle?
Friend of the group 41-year-old Johnny McCowen was diagnosed with the rare and aggressive Motor Neurone Disease in September 2021. The Laois man has been living in Australia since 2009 and is married to his wife Sherie since 2018. They have two daughters together – Darcy and Riley. The father of two has said his family’s world has crumbled after he was diagnosed with incurable ALS but he has vowed to fulfil a final wish to secure them a home. The devoted dad has already raised a staggering sum of money through a GoFundMe page which has exceeded $500,000 Australian dollars. We decided that we would aim to organise a raffle that would try to encompass a demographic that otherwise may not have been brought into the fold for fundraising. It was with that in mind that we went out and bought “Peppa” at the Irish Suckler Societies recent sale in Roscrea. The heifer was bred by Ryans of Clonaslee who work under the Cappanarrow herd prefix, breeding Belgian Blue and Limousin cattle.
How much do we hope to raise?
We are hoping to sell 1,000 tickets and in the process raise 25,000 euros. There is no limit on ticktes so if we sell more we will keep going!
What will the funds be utilised for?
All funds will go directly to the Fight For Johnny’s Girls main fundraiser.
How can people get involved?
People can buy tickets directly on the iDonate raffle page – https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/13449_farmers-fight-for-johnny-s-girls—raffle.html
Tickets can also be purchased from any of the organising committee
Cathal – 0857789494
Conor- 0861639153
Keith- 0857516595
Padraig- 0879347525
Francis- 0872337874
How much are tickets?
Tickets are 25 euros
Any other information?
The raffle will take place in Solas Eco Garden Shop in Portarlington on the 10th of September at 3pm.
A cash alternative is available to those without a herd number.