Fundraiser in memory of John McGuirk raises over £11,000

The recent fundraiser in memory of John McGuirk at Mourne Golf Club was a celebration of one of life’s quietly spoken gentlemen, and fittingly there wasn’t a seat to be had in the clubhouse last Saturday as so many friends and family came to support the cause.

After John lost his battle to oesophageal cancer in 2024, his wife Petra and family set about raising funds for OG Cancer NI. This weekend family members will run the Belfast Marathon and relay to raise funds for the charity, and last Saturday Mourne Golf Club was packed to the rafters for the charity quiz night with a raffle, games, food and great entertainment creating a real buzz around the place.

“I would like to thank everyone who made it on Saturday night and made it the occasion it was,” said Ryan McGuirk, John’s son who along with his family organised the fundraiser. “My family and I are truly honoured and overwhelmed by the support we received.

“Thank you to all the people and local businesses who donated prizes for the raffle and made donations on the night. Special thanks to Anthony Creelman and Paddy Keenan for conducting the quiz, Paul McArdle for sponsoring the music and supporting the night, and to Denis and Trevor Orr for putting on the food.

“I’d also like to thank Mourne Golf Club for holding the event, the club was a massive part of my dad’s life.”

The evening raised £4,838 and money is still pouring in as Ryan’s sister Emma is raising funds by running this weekend’s Belfast Marathon and 10 family members are also running in the relay event. To date, £6,374 has been raised for OG Cancer NI through their JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/team/johnsjoggers1

With over £11,000 raised to date, there is still time to donate online as Team McGuirk get their trainers on to hit the streets of Belfast at the weekend.

The charity quiz night was won by Michael King and his team of brainboxes. Truth be told it mattered not about who won the quiz, the night was a celebration of John’s life, and hopefully the evening at Mourne GC brought some comfort to John’s wife Petra and the entire McGuirk family.

TO MAKE A DONATION, PLEASE VISIT
https://www.justgiving.com/team/johnsjoggers1