Halloween fundraiser for Dochas Offaly to honour late Tullamore soldier
A Halloween Costume Party fundraiser will take place in aid of Dochas Offaly to honour the late Sam Hayden Kilroe this month.
Sam passed away in November 2022 and prior to his death he organised a fundraiser for Dochas Offaly which had helped Sam and his family during his illness. The Tullamore man passed away just three weeks after the fundraiser took place last year but his family is continuing the fundraiser in Sam's honour.
The Halloween Costume Party will take place on Sunday, October 29 at Maunsell's bar and restaurant in Tullamore. There will be a raffle on the night along with various prizes including prizes for best dressed. Sam's sister Sophie Hayden Kilroe said that Sam loved Halloween and that he was “such a messer. He'd a great sense of humour.”
Sam initially proposed the idea of a Halloween fundraiser event in support of Dochas Offaly which was a huge success last year with Sam raising over €13,000 for the cancer support group.
Sam and his mother Hilary attended reflexology sessions by Dochas Offaly. Sophie said: “He just loved the fact that they (Dochas Offaly) cared so much. He liked that fact that they could help Mom, it wasn't just for Sam.”
Sophie said that Dochas Offaly were “so kind” to her family and that the support group offered them some counselling after Sam passed away because of how much he helped other people. “They're the kindest people, I couldn't recommend them enough.” She added that the cancer support group was “beyond grateful” for their fundraising efforts.
Sophie believed that Sam would be “extremely proud” of the family for continuing the fundraiser following his passing. “I think Sam would be very grateful but I also think he would be taken aback that we're strong enough to do it after the year that we've had.”
Sophie said that Sam loved old music and enjoyed listening to Shania Twain. “He looked like a macho man in the army but he was soft. He was funny and he was very caring, he’d do anything for you”
Sam attended Ballinamere National School and Killina Presentation Secondary School in Tullamore. He fulfilled his lifelong wish to join the Defence Forces in 2019 and was a gunner in Athlone - the 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment.