Bullock sale for Ulster Cancer Foundation

A Co Fermanagh family is organising a unique fundraising event for the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) in memory of their much-loved son and brother who tragically lost his battle with cancer.

    Terry McGovern’s family, from Mullaghdun and Enniskillen, is holding a grand draw and the top prize is a Charolais bullock (or £900 cash) which the teenager helped his father deliver.

Terry’s aunt, Bridget McGovern, said, “Terry was an exceptional young man who always had a smile on his face for everyone he met. He was in his second year as an apprentice plumber but also worked all his spare time helping his father on the family farm and could run it single-handedly. He was delighted to be involved with the birth of this bullock and the family thought it would be an ideal prize for their fundraiser.”

   Bridget explained, “In September 2010, Terry was working as an apprentice plumber when he got a knock on the head. We then noticed a pink lump inside his ear. He was taken to theErneHospitaland then referred toDerrywhere he met a specialist.

   “The growth in the ear had increased, and he was taken for a biopsy. After the biopsy the growth inside his ear became more prominent and in late October he was told his condition was cancerous - a rare form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma of temporal bone of skull,” she said.  

    “He then underwent eight months of chemotherapy treatment but in April 2011, after further tests, he was told that the cancer had spread to the spine and that there was nothing more they could do.  He returned home and three weeks later on the 5th May Terry passed away. He was 19 years old.    “Although his time was brief he achieved so much. He was a quiet, kindly, hardworking young man. We were all very proud of him and loved him so much. We miss him every day.”

   Terry’s parents, his sisters Geraldine and Emma, brother Patrick, and the wider family decided they wanted to raise money for the Ulster Cancer Foundation which supports other families facing difficult times.

   Bridget is District Manager of the Northern Bank, Enniskillen Branch. The bank is UCF’s charity partner for 2011-2012 and has generously agreed to match every pound raised by the sale of tickets or donations.

Robert McCullough, Northern Bank’s Head of Agribusiness, added, “UCF is a fantastic charity which not only helps to save lives but enhances the quality of life of everyone affected by cancer.  Using the bullock as a way to raise money for the charity is not only a unique idea but also a very personal way for Terry’s family to help make a difference and I have no doubt the local community will want to support them in their fundraising efforts.” 

   During its partnership with UCF, the Northern Bank is supporting the charity’s important Family Support Services, which provides a vital lifeline for children and young people all overNorthern Irelandwhen a central family member such as a parent or grandparent is diagnosed with cancer. It helps families cope with the disruption to their lives and minimises the long-term impact on children’s emotional well-being.

  The grand draw will take place at the Ulster Farmers’ Mart in Enniskillen on Thursday, 15th March, at 12 noon. If the winner does not want the Charolais bullock (which is bred of CF52) they can exchange it for £900 cash and the animal will go to auction. Second prize is £200 and third prize is £100.

  Tickets costing £5 (or 6 Euro) are available from family members, Northern Bank Enniskillen and various other outlets – contact Bridget McGovern on 07808 052429 or John P McGovern on 0786 6454073. 

Tickets are also available on line in the events section of www.ulstercancer.org/events.

Donations can be made at Northern Bank Enniskillen, account number 950309 50158801 ‘Ulster Cancer Foundation Charolais Draw’.

 For more information contact UCF’s Community Fundraising Manager Sylvia Lucy on 07789 757 165.

                                                  -end-

 

 

For further information please contact:

Pauline Wylie, PR and Events Manager, UCF on

028 9066 3281 / 07810 371118

Or

Marie Foy, PR & Events Officer, UCF on

                                      028 9066 3281 / 07736 358692

 

 

 

Last updated 11 years 11 months ago