A major fundraising drive is underway in the St Johnston and Finn Valley region to support Donegal mum Sonya Hamilton in her battle with illness.

The ‘Sonya’s Struggle’ campaign was launched last week to raise money for Sonya Hamilton McCloskey, a mother of five who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

More than €42,000 has been donated in recent days to assist the 35-year-old and her family in their hour of need.

Sonya Hamilton McCloskey

Several events, coffee mornings, cake sales, raffles and collections have been set-up for the cause in the coming weeks. (See the list below for details)

Sonya’s story has moved an entire community to get behind her and her family. Originally from St. Johnston, Sonya now lives in Ballybofey with her husband Michael and their five young children.

She was diagnosed with aggressive cancer in April 2019, following two years of illness. But the strong young woman has been researching into alternative treatment options, which has sparked the funding appeal.

Sonya has returned to Letterkenny University Hospital this week after undergoing surgery in Galway. Every step of her journey is now being supported by thousands of well-wishers through the ‘Sonya’s Struggle’ campaign.

If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe page, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/qap9y-sonyas-battle

Everyone is welcome to support the upcoming fundraising events, which are:

COLLECTION (22 June -29th June)
McElhinneys Ballybofey are collecting at the door & all till points from Saturday morning 22nd June and for the rest of the week.

COFFEE MORNING (25th June )
McElhinneys Ballybofey are running a coffee morning in store Tuesday 25th June.

CAKE SALE ( 28th June )
Kavanagh’s Supervalu Ballybofey
Fri 28th June 11-3.
For Goodness Cakes Donegal is sponsoring a cake to be raffled in store after the cake sale

TEA AND COFFEE MORNING ( 29th June )
Finn Valley Centre
11am-3pm

COFFEE MORNING ( 6th July)
Maggie’s Tavern
St Johnston
11am-2pm

TABLE QUIZ (12th July)
The Finn Valley Bar & Bistro
Fri 12th July @ 9pm

NIGHT AT THE RACES
Venue to be confirmed
20th July

Raffles are also underway in McElhinneys, Brenda Doherty Hair & Makeup, Eadaoin’s Nail and Beauty Room, and Villa Rose Hotel. Check their social media pages or call into the businesses for details.