The family of “gentle giant” Pat Toal, are to cycle non-stop for 24 hours on what would have been his 88th birthday to help raise money for a cause very close to their hearts.
Grange man Pat sadly passed away on August 25, 2025 in Hamilton Court Care Home. On that sad day, he was surrounded by his family, wrapped in a loving embrace by those who called him their “hero”.
To his wife Bridie and children Anne, Colm, Mary, Kieran and Eilis, he was the “main man”.
His death devastated them. But their heartbreak tragically began a few years earlier when Pat was diagnosed with dementia.
Said his daughter, Mary: “From that moment on, we lost a little piece of him every day”.
Describing her beloved father’s character and the reason for the spinathon, Mary continued: “He was a gentle giant who always put others before himself.
“In honour of that, and in the spirit, he lived by, we as a family want to give something back. We hope that by doing so, we can help others who are facing this cruel disease.”
To his family, it “only feels right” that they host their challenge on what would have been his 88th birthday – August 7, 2026.
His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will take part in the 24-hour spinathon, starting at 8.30pm at St Colmcille’s GFC, Grange.
This will be followed on Saturday August 8, with a night of music, a raffle, and most importantly – “plenty of craic, just the way he would have loved it”.
They set an initial target of £2,000 and have already more than doubled what they hoped to raise with just over £5,000 now added to the pot!
All proceeds will go directly to Dementia NI – a unique member-led charity, formed in 2015 by five individuals with a diagnosis of dementia.
Dementia NI are a local organisation dedicated to empowering people with a diagnosis to live well, and drive positive change in dementia services and policy.
Said Mary: “We would be so grateful for your support, whether that’s making a donation to Dementia NI via our page, calling in to cheer on the cyclists, buying raffle tickets, or joining us for the music and craic.
“Every bit of support is truly appreciated.”
You can also make a contribution directly via the family’s JustGiving page here.
