John O’Driscoll will begin the 5,000km journey on December 12, alongside Conor McCarthy, Daragh Kelly, Enda McNicholas, and Roger McMorrow.
Team Power of One is taking on the World’s Toughest Row in memory of John’s daughter Saoirse (13), who died in April of this year from congenital heart disease.
Racing from San Sebastian de La Gomera in Spain, to Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua, they hope to raise €1m to help children born with the condition in Ireland.
Saoirse was born in December 2010 with complex congenital heart disease (CHD). She underwent multiple surgeries, including open-heart surgery at six months.
The condition impacted every aspect of her life, requiring oxygen support and countless procedures and tests.
During her short life, Saoirse became a passionate advocate and fundraiser for charities that support children with CHD, helping her parents to raise over €460,000.
Shelbourne manager Damien Duff pictured alongside Saoirse O’Driscoll in 2016
Saoirse’s initiatives include a hugely successful annual calendar starring CHD children and competing in the Dublin Marathon where her father pushed her wheelchair for the entire race.
She passed away on April 16, just days after being accepted onto the emergency transplant list to receive a new heart.
Shelbourne manager and former Ireland soccer star, Damien Duff, who met Saoirse in 2016, has always been a strong supporter of her fundraising efforts.
“We’re so grateful for the support of Damien and Shelbourne FC,” John O’Driscoll said.
“We’d love Shels supporters to get behind us and would encourage them to host their own little fundraising events over the next few months, our original goal was €250,000, which we surpassed.
“Damien encouraged us to aim for €1m and came on board with Shels as partners. It seems impossible, but what the club achieved on the pitch this year was impossible.
“We’re going to do everything to hit the goal as the benefits to children in Ireland born with congenital heart defects will be genuinely life changing.”
When Duff met Saoirse back in 2016, her story resonated strongly with him.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Saoirse through my work with Heart Children Ireland, I was very moved by her story and was devastated to learn of her passing,” he said.
“What John, Conor, Daragh, Enda and Roger are doing in memory of Saoirse is awe inspiring, amazing people, and I am genuinely honoured to be an ambassador for this remarkable cause.”
John affectionately called Saoirse his “superhero” for the way she faced her battle with CHD: resilient, brave, and full of grace.
Following her passing this year, John, his wife Aoife, and their son Riain, were faced with a heart-wrenching decision if the Atlantic row should continue.
John O’Driscoll with teammates Conor McCarthy, Daragh Kelly, Enda McNicholas, and Roger McMorrow
After deep reflection, and with the support of family, friends, and his rowing team, John decided to press on in Saoirse’s name.
For him, navigating the Atlantic is a way to mirror Saoirse’s struggles and pay tribute to his daughter’s courage.
The charity partners chosen to benefit from this challenge are Heart Children Ireland and the Children’s Heart Centre at Crumlin Hospital.
Both organisations played a significant role in helping Saoirse to live as best a life as possible.
Once John expressed his will to continue, his fellow crew approached him and said they wanted to make the journey about Saoirse to honour her legacy.
“They came to me and said we need to refocus here and make it about Saoirse. They really are a rock-solid bunch of guys,” he said.
“They rallied behind me. Now we want to try and make a difference for other children in memory of her. We want to do as much as we can for those charities, to help other young children living with CHD.”
The team is actively seeking corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and opportunities to share their story. You can find out more here.
