A special tribute jersey dedicated to the late and great Christy Dignam has generated over €140,000 in funds for St Francis Hospice. League of Ireland side Bohemians wore this unique jersey, featuring the iconic Aslan logo in place of their regular sponsor, Des Kelly Interiors, during their match against Shamrock Rovers on June 23
Fans had the opportunity to purchase this one-of-a-kind shirt, with all proceeds going towards the hospice where Christy Dignam spent his final weeks.
During the game, a heartfelt homage was paid to the legendary singer as his daughter, Kiera, serenaded the devoted Dalymount Park crowd with a rendition of Aslan's hit song 'Crazy World' at half-time, coinciding with a 2-2 draw.
Christy Dignam, who battled cancer for ten years, passed away at the age of 63 on June 13. A joint statement released by Bohemians, St Francis Hospice, and the Dignam family expressed their gratitude to all the supporters who backed the special fundraising jersey in memory of Christy Dignam.
"Everyone at St Francis Hospice, Bohemian Football Club, the Dignam family and Aslan wishes to express our gratitude to everyone who supported our one-off fundraising jersey in memory of Christy Dignam," reads a joint statement released by Bohemians, St Francis Hospice and the Dignam family.
Bohs present cheque of €141,956 to St Francis Hospice from sales of its one-off Christy Dignam tribute jersey. The club was joined by Christy's family at the hospice today for the presentation. pic.twitter.com/bSXAcAs92p
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) July 5, 2023
"Thanks to your support, a cheque of €141,976 - all profits from shirt sales - was presented to St Francis Hospice today, which will go a long way to helping them provide the extraordinary service to loved ones and their families.
The statement further highlighted that a cheque of €141,976, representing all the profits from the shirt sales, was presented to St Francis Hospice. This generous donation will greatly contribute to the hospice's ability to provide exceptional care and support to patients and their families. The statement also acknowledged the important role played by Des Kelly Interiors, the club's main sponsor, for relinquishing their prime space on the jersey for the Dublin derby against Shamrock Rovers, enabling this charitable initiative.
"We also wish to extend our thanks to our partners Des Kelly Interiors for recognising the importance of fundraising for St Francis Hospice and making this initiative possible by giving up their main sponsor space at the front of our jersey for last month’s Dublin derby against Shamrock Rovers.
"Christy, the much-loved Aslan frontman, overcame significant personal challenges to uplift generations across our communities.
"He was cherished by so many, and it has been a privilege to stand with his family and support those who gave him the care and love that he deserved in his final days at St Francis Hospice.
"St Francis Hospice provides a specialist palliative care service for the people of north Dublin city and county and surrounding counties and we encourage anyone who missed out on ordering the Aslan jersey to get behind their fundraising initiatives in any way they can: sfh.ie/donate."
