Oslo GAA club makes history

September 28, 2012

The Heffernan Family, GAA President Liam O Neill, Kerry Football Darran O Sullivan and Miss Ireland and Celbrity Bainisteoir Roz Purcell
The Oslo GAA club is the first in GAA history to have a charity logo on its jersey.

The club is proud to carry the Bee for Battens logo on its jerseys, which has been made possible by the generosity of sponsors The Dubliner Pub and Origin Enterprises, who allowed the space on the front of the jerseys to be allocated to the charity.

Club member Tony Heffernan lost his daughter, Saoirse, to Battens Disease, a rare neuro-degenerative condition, which affects babies and young children. At present, no cure exists for the disease.

Kerry man Tony and his wife Mary have set up the charity Bee for Battens to provide parents, families and all those affected by Battens Disease in Ireland with a home-based support and networking organisation as well as a credible source of information

Sadly, Saoirse died last year aged 5, and Tony and Mary's son Liam has also been diagnosed with Battens. The charity is currently pursuing the development of Liam's Lodge, a dedicated respite centre for children with rare diseases and their families.

Bee for Battens' support and research activities completely rely on fund-raising and donations from the public and private business sectors.

Oslo GAA is running a non-profit campaign called Get your Kit On, whereby each jersey is being sold at cost price and the aim is to raise awareness for this worthy cause.

The club invites people to take photos of themselves wearing the jersey in strange and interesting places, and is offering prizes for the best pictures. Each jersey is sold with the number 5 on the back, in memory of Saoirse.

The striking jersey with the charity's distinctive bumble bee logo was officially launched at Croke Park by Association president Liam O'Neill, with the Heffernan family joined on the day by Kerry footballer Darran O'Sullivan and Miss Ireland Roz Purcell.

Four-year-old Liam Heffernan stole the show as he enjoyed the freedom of Ireland's largest stadium along with his toy dinosaur 'Long Neck'.

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