'Sit with Sam' bench unveiled at Dóchas Offaly
Dochas Offaly Cancer Support has paid a beautiful and poignant tribute to the memory of 22-year old Sam Hayden Kilroe this week after a bench was unveiled in his memory at the centre's headquarters on Offaly Street in Tullamore.
Sam, who was a member of the Irish Defence Forces, was just 22 years old when he passed away from cancer on November 20, 2022. Just three weeks before his untimely passing he organised a Halloween fundraising party in Maunsell's pub for Dochas. Not only did he organise the event, but he displayed remarkable bravery in the face of his devastating illness by attending in person on the night.
Despite their own grief, Sam's family decided to run the same fundraiser last October, and the culmination of both fundraising events - a cheque for €35,344.50 - was presented to Dóchas this week. €5,000 was also donated to the Irish Cancer Society by Abbvie Pharmaceuticals, where Sam's Dad, John, works, with the generous donation being made in Sam's name.
Along with the cheque presentation, Offaly Dóchas also unveiled a plaque which they said is designed to “immortalise our gratitude to Sam for all he did for our centre.” The plaque, displaying the poignant words 'Sit with Sam' has been placed on a bench which was donated by Ed and Tina Scally as part of the first Halloween fundraiser organised by Sam Hayden Kilroe just three weeks before his death. Sam and his mother, Hilary, wanted the bench to be donated to Dóchas.
In a Facebook post this week, Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support said Sam's bench has now taken pride of place in their gorgeous little sanctuary courtyard garden, and they have encouraged the much-loved young Offaly man's friends and family to visit the garden and “sit in the space and be present.”
Dóchas described the sum of money raised by Sam Hayden Kilroe and his family as “a remarkable figure by a remarkable young man” and paid a personal tribute to the memory of the brave young soldier for his “incredible bravery and generosity in the face of adversity.”
Referring to the visit of Sam's family to Dóchas to make their donation, the local charity said “sometimes our line of work makes us take a breath, step back and be grateful for the incredible people we meet here in Dochas on a daily basis. Today was one of those days when the family of Sam Hayden Kilroe popped into our centre for the unveiling of Sam’s bench.”