A Laois family are holding a fundraiser coffee morning in Mountmellick this St Patrick's Day, to mark the 18th birthday of their dearly missed son. 

Eoin Coss, who was full of promising sport talent, passed away aged 14, peacefully at home with his family in 2022, 10 months after a shock cancer diagnosis. His memory lives on through a touching fundraiser, called Eoin's Journey.

Martina Coss, Eoin's mother, has announced that a coffee morning featuring music and a raffle will take place in Mountmellick's sports complex to mark Eoin's special day. Any funds raised will be split between Portlaoise hospital's children's ward and Crumlin Children's hospital.

"As some of you may be aware, Eoin turns 18 on St Patrick's Day. Which is so hard to believe, that it's his fourth birthday away from home," Ms Coss said.

"We have decided to have a coffee morning on St Patrick's morning, from 11am to 12:30pm. I want to invite everyone, whoever wants to come. We are marking the day to remember Eoin, and to celebrate his 18th birthday, even though he should be here marking it with us," she said.

"He's not here, and that's very sad. But I always promised him I'd keep his memory alive, and that's what I intend to do. There's no parade in Mountmellick this year, so I thought it would be nice for people to gather together in the sports complex and celebrate him, and celebrate his 18th birthday," Martina said.

The event will have refreshments, music and a competition for firewood. The family say that there will be donation buckets at the event, but there is no pressure to give.

"This is about helping other sick kids, so if we can at all, we will and we should. So if you'd like to come up and have tea and a coffee, and have a chat, and remember Eoin, whilst also helping sick kids, and being in with a chance to win a load of fire wood, you are more than welcome," Martina said.

"Everyone is welcome. Around 2pm we will be going up to Eoin's garden to let off some balloons, I will have balloons there for anyone who would like to join. I think it would be so nice to celebrate his 18th birthday for him, whilst also helping other kids as well," she said.

The family wished to thank sponsors and they hope that people can help share the word on their fundraiser.

"It would be so lovely to see as many there as possible, I know we'd all appreciate it," Martina said.

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"To everyone who always supports Eoin's Journey and remembers Eoin, and brings him on their travels with him, thank you so much. Let's make this 18th birthday one to remember, and one that Eoin would be so proud looking down on us from above," Ms Coss finished.

Join the Coss family to celebrate Eoin's birthday in Mountmellick's sports complex from 11am on St Patrick's Day.