Cavan man described as "inspiration" after raising over €130,000 for Concern

Press release5 March 2019

A CAVAN grandfather was described as an “inspiration” by Ireland’s largest aid agency Concern Worldwide for raising more than €130,000 over the last 21 years.

Cavan native Sean Brogan with Concern Worldwide CEO Dominic MacSorley at Concern's Dublin headquarters presenting his cheque for €10,143

Volunteer Sean Brogan with Dominic MacSorley presenting a cheque from his community for €10,143. Photo: Concern Worldwide

Sean Brogan (79), from Butlersbridge, visited Concern’s office in Dublin to deliver a cheque for €10,143 that was raised by him and 91 other people who took part in the charity’s annual 24-hour Fast campaign last November.

“I spent three hours one night counting 1 cent coins alone, which we are hugely grateful for,” said Sean, who is semi-retired at the local Toyota dealership, Erne Motor Works.

“We also got notes as high as €50. My bottom line is to get the money and to get as much as we can. It all counts.”

I had to do something

Sean, who has three children and one grandchild, was inspired to start fundraising for Concern, which helps millions of people suffering from extreme poverty across 23 countries, after seeing images of children starving on his television.

“I said to myself, ‘I have to do something about that,’ so I did,” he explained.

“I am semi-retired and I find this is a great thing to get involved with for an important cause. I would recommend others to do it too.”

Concern Worldwide have thanked and praised Sean and his many volunteers, which this year included an Irish man living in Sydney, Australia, for raising over €130,000 in the past 21 years.

An inspiration and a great advocate for Concern

“Sean is an inspiration and a great advocate for Concern,” said Concern’s Chief Executive, Dominic MacSorley.

“We admire how year-on-year Sean takes it upon himself to recruit a team of people from Cavan and from as far away as Australia to take part in the Fast campaign.

“We cannot thank Sean and all our donors enough as we continue our mission to end world poverty.”

Concern also honoured Sean last year with an award for all his fundraising efforts at the 2018 Concern Volunteer Awards in Dublin.

More information about Concern Worldwide and how to support its work can be found on the Concern website.

If you wish to arrange an interview with Sean Brogan, or for more information, please contact Kevin Jenkinson at 086 358 2886 or by email: kevin.jenkinson@concern.net.