'Operation Paddy' underway in Shercock

The amazingly generous community in Shercock are to answer the call for 'Operation Paddy’, by raising funds to ensure that local man, Paddy Archbold, can undergo a series of specialised reconstructive surgery procedures at Harley Street in London.
Big hearted Paddy (52) has won his battle with penile cancer but now needs surgery.
He himself has been actively involved in many fundraising community campaigns in Shercock in recent years raising in the region of €350,000 for numerous worthy causes.
MC’s Bar in Shercock was crowded last Sunday evening for the launch of the 'Operation Paddy 5k sponsored walk’ to take place on Sunday, March 6.
Dubliner Paddy has been residing in Shercock with his wife Attracta and twin boys, Brian and Glen, for the past 15 years. He met Shercock native Attracta while working in New York, where many of his friends are also involved in fundraising.
Paddy was first diagnosed with penile cancer by Dr David Hickey in Beaumont Hospital and was operated upon within 16 hours of being diagnosed because the cancer was aggressive.
“Since then I have had four major operations and six other small operations. The cancer is now gone and I now need reconstructive surgery,” said Paddy Archbold.
During last year he was sent over to a specialist in Harley Street and he said he could do the surgery.
He got approval from the HSE to have the operation but he would have to go via public health service and there is over two years of a waiting list in London.
Paddy simply can’t wait that long and the good people of Shercock and surrounding area have banded together to raise funds to facilitate Paddy availing of the private health facility.
“I am going over this Saturday to London for an assessment and hopefully the operation can proceed in March,” said a delighted Paddy.
The procedures in Harley Street are expected to cost in the region of £55,000 sterling.
Speaking to the Celt, his wife Attracta said: “We will never be able to let people know how grateful we are for Paddy to get this chance to go to London.”
The chairman of the 'Operation Paddy’ Fundraiser committee Sean Clarke told all those assembled in MC’s lounge that their presence was really appreciated.
“When anybody around this town ever required help, Paddy Archbold was the man to go to. We have had five or six years of Operation Transformation – it has proved a hell of a success. Whether the money was for the stand at the pitch or it was cancer related, it did not matter – once you got Archie on board, you were flying – he is the man that would always get the ball rolling,” said Mr Clarke.
“The sponsorship cards are here tonight. This is the best town in Ireland to raise money and has the best community spirit. When someone is in a bit of bother, we will all get behind them,” he added.
There is a facebook page called Operation Paddy and the twitter account will be #OperationPaddy.
Donations can be made to any Bank of Ireland Branch and the IBAN number IE53BOFI90306952980100. Donations can also be made to the account in Shercock Credit Union; while Peadar Mohan has sponsorship cards for those interested in doing the walk.