Family presents fundraising proceeds in memory of Offaly’s Valerie Flynn

In recent years, the Flynn family from Offaly has been through a most challenging time.

The family, from Park, Banagher, sadly lost their mother, Valerie Flynn, in December 2024, following brave battles with cancer.

Through Valerie's illness and the bereavement, the family united to help organise a series of local fundraisers which, combined, raised more than €10,000 for the Irish Cancer Society and the Patient Comfort Fund at Tullamore Hospital.

Described by her family as "a supportive wife, caring mother, and a doting grandmother," Valerie was first diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2018, but overcame this battle and received the all-clear that same year.

In 2023, the cancer re-appeared, this time in her lung. She underwent lung surgery in St James’ Hospital, Dublin, and following successful surgery, began chemotherapy in the care of Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore.

Although she struggled greatly through the treatment, the care she received from staff in Tullamore made the journey that little bit easier, her family members said, and she finished chemotherapy in September 2023 - receiving the all-clear for a second time that December.

Soon afterwards, and as a show of gratitude for the treatment and care his mother received, Valerie's son Trevor, living in New York, set the ball rolling on what would become an impressive fundraising effort by family members.

In October 2024, Trevor made the journey from the US to run in the Dublin City Marathon to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society. This was hugely successful, as he managed to raise €2,500.

Inspired by her son’s achievement, Valerie decided she, too, wanted to give back, and decided to raise money towards the Patient Comfort Fund for Tullamore Hospital.

She first contacted McIntyre's pub in Shannon Harbour, and with the help of her long-time friend, publican Shirley McIntyre, organised a bingo night.

Many local businesses and people were happy to donate to the cause, and a fantastic night was had.

In conjunction with the bingo night, McIntyre's pub also raffled off two signed Offaly jerseys from the 2024 All-Ireland winning U20 team.

Valerie then contacted another local pub, owned by her nephew and named for her father-in-law, Paddy Flynn’s pub in Cloghan. With the help of her niece, Joelene Minogue, they organised a quiz night to be held in the pub.

Unfortunately, Valerie’s journey with cancer had not ended and, before the quiz could take place, she received a third diagnosis of brain cancer in October 2024. As Valerie began her treatment journey for a third time, she was unfortunately unable to attend the quiz night she worked so hard to organise. Her family stepped in and the quiz night went ahead and again was a hugely successful event. With all three combined efforts, Valerie managed to raise €7,700.

Sadly, in December 2024, her battle with cancer ended when she died in the care of Tullamore Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

That was not the end of the fundraising efforts, however, as, a year later, her one-year-old grandaughter, Isabella Flynn, through her parents Trevor and Maria Flynn, asked family and friends to raise money in lieu of Christmas gifts that year.

Isabella proudly raised €2,400 towards the Friends of Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore Fund, as a thank you for the care and dignity the hospital provided her grandmother in her final days.

And last Saturday (July 11), Valerie’s husband Pat, on his wife's behalf, presented the hospital staff with Valerie’s cheque, accompanied by their grandaughter Isabella, who made the journey from the US to present her own cheque.

The family said that Valerie was "proudly in attendance in spirit" to see "the fruit of her labour come to fruition and to cheer on her granddaughter who continues her charitable legacy".