Walk with Daire raises over €7k

5KM walk with Daire took place in Rossmore Park, Monaghan on Sunday last, April 21.

A fundraising walk organised for diehard Liverpool fan Daire Gorman to help him travel to France to compete as a member of a wheelchair football team in a special competition this summer has raised over €7,000.

Gardaí in Cavan, Monaghan and Louth launched the fundraiser for their honorary garda colleague Daire - one of their Little Blue Heroes.

The 5KM walk with Daire took place in Rossmore Park, Monaghan on Sunday last, April 21.

Daire hit headlines when he visited to Liverpool's Anfield last year on a once-in-a lifetime trip, funded by Little Blue Heroes.

The 12-year-old though came to the attention of the world after a video of him overcome with emotion at the club’s anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ being sung went viral.

Following that, young Daire was invited back to spend time with outgoing club manager Jurden Klopp and a host of Liverpool stars.

Daire was selected as a member of the Belfast Trailblazers Powerchair Football Team who will take part in the Powerchair Football EPFA Champion’s Cup in Paris, from June 16-23.

All team members travelling have to pay their own costs, and Daire’s garda friends hoped to raise enough money to send him, his parents Kenny and Shelly and his sister Aoife to Paris for the week and to Disneyland Paris for a few days also.

Any monies left over meanwhile would be used to support Daire’s family with the ongoing costs with his care.

Following the event, organisers of the walk posted on social media to thank everyone who came out today for the walk and to those who donated.

“Thank you to Monaghan Civil Defence, Monaghan Co.Council and Coillte for the help. Special thanks to Aaron and Stevie McKenna for leading the walk, doing a warm up with the group and for their amazing friendship and kindness to H/Garda Daire and his family.

“Thank you to all the Garda volunteers helping out today, and to Daire and his family. Daire continues to inspire us with his positivity and amazing outlook on life.

“We wish him the very best of luck in France in June at the Powerchair Football Championship. Just over €7000 was raised for Daire which the family are very thankful for.

The GoFundMe link will remain open another few days, if anyone else would like to donate https://gofund.me/472a0272.