Charity in memory of late hurler Dillon Quirke awarded funding for 70 cardiac screenings

(L – R) Dan Quirke accepting the funding on behalf of the Dillon Quirke Foundation from Dan Hennessy, Arachas Mid-West Regional Director

The Dillon Quirke Foundation, a Tipperary-based charity raising awareness around Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and funding widespread cardiac screenings for young people involved in sports, has received significant funding from the Ardonagh Community Trust (ACT) Community Grant.

The grant of £5,000 (€5,815) from the ACT will fund cardiac screenings for 70 young people, helping to reduce the number of young lives being lost to SADS.

Tipperary hurler Dillon Quirke was 24 when he collapsed during a hurling match and died of SADS on 5th August 2022 in Semple Stadium, Thurles. The Dillon Quirke Foundation was subsequently established by Dillon’s family, who want to prevent others from going through what they experienced, and in the process, save lives.

Dillon’s father, Dan Quirke, accepted the funding on behalf of the Foundation. Mr Quirke said:

“After Dillon passed, we were shocked to learn how many young people involved in high-intensity sports die from SADS every year. Better public awareness of the condition and the benefits of cardiac screenings could make a huge difference in this country. We started the Foundation in Dillon’s memory to increase the understanding of the importance of these screenings and to provide free screening opportunities for young people. Our work would be impossible without the help and support of people like Catherine and Dan from Arachas and the ACT Community Fund and it will go a long way towards achieving our goal.”

The Ardonagh Group’s independent charity, ACT, supports causes special to Ardonagh colleagues through its Community Grant programme. The grant provides the opportunity for employees to apply for up to £5,000 (or equivalent currency) towards a chosen charity.

Ardonagh is represented in Ireland by Arachas, the largest nationwide insurance broker in the country.  Catherine Cranley, a member of the Arachas’ Tipperary Town team nominated the Dillon Quirke Foundation for the funding.

Commenting on the funding awarded, Joey Wynne, CEO of Arachas said:

“We are very proud of Catherine for nominating this incredibly worthwhile charity, the Dillon Quirke Foundation for the ACT Community Grant. At Arachas, the community is at the core of what we do, and we understand how important it is to give back to those around us. Sports and charity are two personal passions of mine and the wider Arachas group, and we are very happy to support the Foundation through this grant.”

SADS takes approximately 100 young lives in Ireland every year and cardiac screenings can help prevent SADS by identifying heart conditions at an early stage before they cause symptoms. The Foundation is working to raise awareness and save lives through a dedicated cardiac screening programme, delivered by Advanced Medical Services and funded by the Dillon Quirke Foundation, by performing cardiac screening in sports clubs nationwide to reduce the incidence of SADS.

Sarah James, ACT Communications Manager with responsibility for the grant programme said:

“Through our ACT Community Grant programme, we’re privileged to have the opportunity for ACT to support a range of causes close to the hearts of our Ardonagh colleagues. Thanks to the connection Arachas people have with charities special to them, we’ve provided grants to several charities in Ireland spanning cancer care to youth centres. Catherine’s own connection to the Dillon Quirke Foundation sums up why the power of giving back to local causes to make a difference.”