Shels support Team Power of One | OneFootball

Shelbourne Football Club is proud to announce Team Power of One, as an official charity partner.

The club is delighted to support a cause that aims to make a difference in the lives of children in Ireland living with congenital heart disease.

This collaboration will support John O’Driscoll’s monumental 5,000 km journey across the Atlantic Ocean, raising funds and awareness for children in Ireland born with congenital heart disease.

Team Power of One is taking on the World’s Toughest Row in memory of John’s daughter Saoirse O’Driscoll (13), who passed away in April of this year from congenital heart disease.

Starting on 12th December 2024, John along with his teammates Conor, Daragh, Enda and Roger will row 5,000 kilometres across the Atlantic Ocean.

Racing from the volcanic shores of San Sebastian de La Gomera, Spain to Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua. Their mission is to fundraise €1,000,000 to help children born with congenital heart disease in Ireland.

Shels supporters are asked to please donate here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/teampowerof1

Shels manager Damien Duff met Saoirse in 2016 and her story resonated strongly with him. Born in December 2010 with complex congenital heart disease, she faced many challenges. Despite the difficulties her condition presented, Saoirse embraced life with an extraordinary spirit. Her kindness, selflessness, and creativity touched all who crossed her path in life and she left a lasting impact on family and friends and the many people touched by her story.

As part of this partnership, Shelbourne FC is asking our fanbase to engage in their fundraising activities and arrange events to gather donations that will directly contribute to this incredible cause.

Damien Duff Named Official Ambassador for Team Power of One

Shelbourne FC manager Damien Duff has today been named an official ambassador for Team Power of One. In his role, Duff will champion the campaign by participating in awareness initiatives, events and undertaking appearances to amplify its reach.

Damien Duff said: “I had the pleasure of meeting Saoirse through my work with Heart Children Ireland, I was very moved by her story and was devastated to learn of her passing. What John, Conor, Daragh, Enda and Roger are doing in memory of Saoirse is awe inspiring, amazing people, and I am genuinely honoured to be an ambassador for this remarkable cause.”

John O’Driscoll said: “We’re so grateful of the support of Damien and Shelbourne FC, we’d love Shels supporters to get behind us and would encourage them to host their own little fundraising events over the next few months, our original goal was €250,000 which we surpassed. Damien encouraged us to aim for the €1million and came on board with Shels as partners, it seems impossible, but what the club achieved on the pitch this year was impossible. We’re going to do everything to hit the goal as the benefits to children in Ireland born with congenital heart defects will be genuinely life changing.”