Letterkenny’s Oncology Ward has received a delivery of nine state-of-the-art chairs today in memory of the late Evan Craig, who sadly passed away last year.
The chairs were purchased after an amazing €35,000 was raised through a Movember fundraiser in honour of the popular young Muff man.
Evan, who was 24 years old when he died from cancer, has left a lasting legacy in his home community and at Letterkenny University Hospital, where he is fondly remembered by staff.
The donated chairs, designed for ultimate comfort and functionality, will be used by patients receiving chemotherapy and will also be available in single rooms for patients and visitors to use.
Each chair bears a small plaque with Evan’s name, honouring a cherished young man who faced his illness with immense strength.
Staff of the Letterkenny University Hospital Oncology Ward with parents of the late Evan Craig, Joe and Grace Craig and Cloda McGrath who donated nine postural chairs in memory of Evan. Photo Rachel McLaughlin Donegal Daily
Photo Rachel McLaughlin, Donegal Daily
Evan, an aspiring electrician and skilled Naomh Padraig footballer, was diagnosed with cancer in November 2023 and, over various periods, spent weeks at LUH. His partner Cloda McGrath, his parents, Grace and Joe, and sisters Ciara and Orla, were by his side throughout.
After his death in September, Cloda and Evan’s family set out to hold a fundraiser to give back to the oncology ward and improve facilities for other patients and families.
It didn’t take long for volunteers from across Muff and Cloda’s homeplace in Newtowncunningham to sign up for Movember, and there were moustaches galore by the time of a major waxing and shaving event in the Alt Bar.
An amazing €35,000 was raised in Evan’s memory, funding the nine postural chairs as well as twelve mini fridges, which will be delivered in the near future.
Olive Quinn, Clinical Nurse Manager, Joe Craig, Cloda McGrath, Grace Craig and Stephanie Brady, Clinical Nurse Manager. Photo Rachel McLaughlin Donegal Daily
On presenting the chairs today, Cloda McGrath said: “Thank you to everyone who donated, and there are still people who are donating. Thank you to everyone who did Movember, thank you to the boys who did it and to the girlfriends who put up with the moustaches.”
“The staff here were absolutely amazing to Evan,” said Grace Craig.
Stephanie Brady, Clinical Nurse Manager 2 of the LUH Oncology Ward, said: “I want to thank the Craig family. Evan was an absolute treasure, he was a lovely patient and he affected a lot of people. These chairs are going to be used by our cancer patients in some of the chemotherapy rooms and in the single rooms. Not only that, the family have donated fridges as added luxuries in the patients’ rooms. It is much appreciated. We thank everybody that has contributed to the fundraising.”
Fully adjustable postural chairs from Evolution Healthcare, donated to LUH Oncology Ward in memory of the late Evan Craig. Photo Rachel McLaughlin Donegal Daily
Nine fully adjustable postural chairs from Evolution Healthcare, donated to LUH Oncology Ward in memory of the late Evan Craig. Photo Rachel McLaughlin Donegal Daily
