Moate couple’s Oasis ticket donation goes ‘Supersonic’ in support of MND

When Maura and John Gillivan donated two sets of Oasis premium-level tickets for the band’s sold-out Supersonic Tour, they could hardly have imagined the impact it would have.

The tickets, for the shows on 16 and 17 August, were raffled off by the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and raised more than €19,000 on the iDonate platform. The Gillivans had originally spent €1,000 on the tickets, which proved to be even more valuable for the lucky winners of the draw and for the charity.

The fundraiser was promoted across IMNDA social media channels, and the team said they were “blown away” by the amount raised – though not surprised, given the enduring popularity of Oasis.

The family’s support for the association is rooted in a personal story. In 2024, Moate man James Gillivan, nephew of Maura and John, undertook a gruelling challenge in memory of his father Andrew, who passed away from motor neurone disease in March that year. James ran four marathons in four days – starting in Athlone, finishing in Dublin, and including the Dublin Marathon – covering more than 100 miles in total.

That feat raised €47,701 for IMNDA.

Together, the Gillivan family’s fundraising efforts have now generated almost €67,000 for the association since 2024.

Motor neurone disease is a progressive neurological condition that attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, gradually weakening muscles and affecting walking, talking, eating, and breathing. There is currently no cure, and more than 470 people in Ireland are living with the disease.

The IMNDA, established in 1985, is the only organisation of its kind in Ireland. Its services include home visits by specialist nurses, financial support for home care, provision of medical equipment, counselling, and funding for research. The association relies heavily on fundraising, with over 86% of its €3.38 million annual income coming from voluntary donations.