MAYO COVID HEROES NO. 7: Eloise McDonnell, Kilmovee

On May 2, Eloise McDonnell, from Kilmovee, was due to make her Communion, but due to Covid-19 it was postponed. While she was disappointed, Eloise decided to turn this into a positive occasion and set about planning to run 10km in her sister Lucia’s communion dress, raising money for charity.

Ten-year-old Lucia ran alongside her sister and both girls managed to raise over €31,000 for Mayo Roscommon Hospice in memory of their dad Michael who passed away from a brain tumour when Eloise was seven months old and Lucia was two.

Eloise means strength and Lucia means light. The girls hoped to bring strength and light to those who needed it most during lockdown.

For her efforts, Eloise was named an Inspirational Hero in the Gala Retail and Virgin Media Inspiration Awards.