Fund set up to support family of pioneering Cork fundraiser Micheál Sheridan
The late Micheál Sheridan. Picture: Darragh Kane
A fund has been established to support the family of a pioneering fundraiser whose work helped untold thousands of people.
Micheál Sheridan, chief executive of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation, passed away last week after a brief battle with cancer.
Mr Sheridan, who was 51, was well known in Cork for his work with the charity, where he helped to raise millions for the hospital’s cancer services.
He first joined the foundation in 2007 as its first employee, and a spokesperson for the foundation said he had seen it grow to become one of the leading hospital foundations in the country.
In 2021, he left the foundation to become chief executive of Irish Community Air Ambulance, where he spent three years.
Earlier this year, Mr Sheridan returned to the Mercy foundation, where he was appointed its chief executive.
Now a family friend has established the Sheridan Family Education Fund, a fundraiser to show support to Mr Sheridan’s family in their bereavement.
On the fund’s GoFundMe page, the family’s friend stated that Mr Sheridan’s life was a testament to service, and he dedicated himself to raising funds for those in need.
“His contributions to the ISPCC, Special Olympics Ireland, Critical (previously Irish Community Air Ambulance), and Mercy University Hospital Foundation have touched the lives of countless individuals, providing support during their darkest hours and establishing charitable initiatives that will endure for years to come.
“Micheál worked tirelessly all his life to help people in some of the most difficult times in their lives.
“We want to come together to support his family at this time,” the post’s author said.
“Nothing was more important to Micheál than his family—his wife Claire and their four sons Éanna, Rían, Finn and Caelán.
“This GoFundMe page has been set up to support his sons' education in the coming years. As a dad myself, I know nothing is more important than knowing that your family has all they need.” Mr Sheridan’s friend said he had established the fund in tribute to all Mr Sheridan had done for charities across Ireland.
“Please show your support to his young family by donating to this education fund for his four beautiful sons,” they said.
By Tuesday morning, two days after it began, the fund had raised more than €7,000 of its €10,000 target.
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