Fund to support Sheridan family reaches twice its target

A FUND to support the family of a pioneering fundraiser whose work helped untold thousands of people has reached almost twice its target.

Micheál Sheridan, chief executive of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation, passed away at the start of the month after a brief battle with cancer.

Mr Sheridan, who was 51, was well known in Cork for his work with the charity, where he helped to raise millions for the hospital’s cancer services.

He first joined the foundation in 2007 as its first employee, and a spokesperson for the foundation said he had seen it grow to become one of the leading hospital foundations in the country.

In 2021, he left the foundation to become chief executive of Irish Community Air Ambulance, where he spent three years.

Earlier this year, Mr Sheridan returned to the Mercy foundation, where he was appointed its chief executive.

After Mr Sheridan passed away, a family friend, Ed Hurrell, set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to help Mr Sheridan’s family, with an initial target of €10,000.

Two weeks on, the page is set to close, having raised by Friday morning almost €20,000.

On the GoFundMe page, Mr Hurrell stated that Mr Sheridan had worked tirelessly all his life to help people in some of the most difficult times in their lives.

“We want to come together to support his family at this time.

“Nothing was more important to Micheál than his family—his wife Claire and their four sons Éanna, Rían, Finn and Caelán.”

On Tuesday, Mr Hurrell posted a note on the page: “Thanks so much for your generosity and helping us reach €15,000 for the Sheridan boys’ education.

“We will be transferring the funds to the family who are so very grateful to you.”

On Friday morning, the GoFundMe had reached €19,305.

Separately, on July 14, this year’s ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ charity walk will honour Mr Sheridan, when hundreds of walkers will take to the road for the 22km journey from The Viaduct to the Town Hall in Bandon.

Funds raised will go towards the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre.