€25,000 raised in honour of Tipperary girl who passed away in 2020

The family of Zara Harding-Horan from Roscrea, Tipperary, who tragically passed away on November 2, 2020 from Loeys-Dietz syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting connective tissue, are honoured to announce the successful conclusion of a series of fundraising events marking the fifth anniversary of Zara’s passing.

In Zara’s memory, her family and her local community and friends raised a remarkable €25,000 for The Mercy Foundation.

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These funds will support heart research and genetic testing at Mercy University Hospital, Cork, ensuring Zara’s legacy contributes to life-saving work for others.

Zara, aged just 19, left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her.

A first-year Bachelor of Arts student in Performing Arts at the University of Limerick, she was a gifted musician, achieving Grade 8 in Classical Music by the age of 17.

Zara was also a passionate and enthusiastic rugby player, representing Shannon RFC’s Women’s Senior Team and previously Birr RFC’s U18 team, earning the admiration of her teammates and coaches.

Her mother, Alison Harding, describes her fondly: “Zara was a funny, outgoing, and happy young woman who was taken way too young. She fitted so much into her short time here, living life to the full, giving to others, raising money for charity, and always putting others first.”

Highlights of the fundraising efforts include a charity walk at Cloughjordan No 1 National School on October 23, led by Zara’s younger sister, Charlotte, uniting her school community; a guided tour of Monastic Lorrha, led by historian James Heenan; a very successful coffee morning hosted by The Derg Inn, Terryglass; and a bucket collection in Nenagh.

To mark Zara’s anniversary on November 2, a sponsored walk with over 100 participants took place, starting at the University of Limerick, passing Villiers School which Zara had attended and loved, and finishing at Shannon RFC’s clubhouse at Thomond Park.

Additional generous donations were received from Scéal Shop, Lorrha; Spar, Borrisokane; Country Kitchen, Borrisokane; O’Meara’s Pharmacy, Borrisokane; Melissa K, Nenagh; Breo Jewellers, Nenagh; Terryglass Gun Club; and River Run Cottages, Terryglass.

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To honour the special place that rugby held in Zara’s life, an additional €5,000 of funds raised was donated to support the Zara Horan Trophy, a regional U18.5 competition aimed at fostering the growth of women’s rugby development pathways.

Professor Carl Vaughan, Consultant Cardiologist at Mercy University Hospital, Cork, commented on the impact of the funds raised: “Alison and her family’s work has raised a large amount of funds that will be used to help manage and investigate other patients and families with inherited aortic conditions. This will have a big impact in the future; and we are very grateful to them for all the work they have done.”

Rachel Stevenson, CEO, The Mercy Foundation acknowledged the generous donation, saying: “Every donation and act of fundraising plays a vital role in supporting patients and their families at Mercy University Hospital. The generosity shown in Zara’s memory helps fund crucial research, essential testing, and improved care, making a meaningful difference in people’s lives when they need it most.”

Zara’s warmth, talent, and generosity continue to inspire her family - her parents Alison and Declan, brother Jamie, sister Charlotte, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends.

Alison concluded “Though Zara’s life was cut tragically short, her spirit lives on in the joy she gave, the lives she touched, and the future she helps shape through these fundraising efforts.”

For those wishing to support the work of The Mercy Foundation, visit www.mercyhospitalfoundation.ie.