Following a Wednesday fundraising drive to send 150+ members to Ireland, Florida State's Marching Chiefs has surpassed its fundraising goal of $125,000 by more than $39,000

The marching band held a fundraiser, a part of FSU's Great Give, on Wednesday in hopes of sending members to the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between FSU and Georgia Tech on Aug. 24 in Dublin, Ireland.

The band flew past its original goal, raising $164,361 from 1,040 gifts and 952 donors over 24 hours.

One of the gifts was a $2,500 donation from FSU football coach Mike Norvell. He commented on the fundraising effort on Thursday.

"I just wanted to support them in any way and I saw that they hit their goal," Norvell said. "I just wanted to make sure they got to enjoy it a little bit more. The Marching Chiefs are awesome and I love what they do.

"It's incredible for the impact they make, and I'm grateful to help them."

According to the fundraising site, it costs $3,000 per Marching Chief to travel to Ireland.

A "generous lead donor" has already donated $100,000 to the cause. The official fundraising drive ended at midnight, but donations are still being accepted to fund the Chiefs' journey at https://spark.fsu.edu/

A statement on the donations site said when students travel, they learn, grow and create lasting memories while uniting the entire FSU community in support of our Seminoles.

The Marching Chiefs have been a part of FSU since the 1940s. There are over 420 members.

FSU football kicks off its 2024 season in Week 0 at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic against Georgia Tech on Aug. 24. Game time is to be determined.

In addition to FSU going to Ireland, Maclay School's football team announced last year that it intends to travel to Ireland as part of the Global Ireland Football Tour.

FLORIDA STATE COMMUNITY MAKES 13TH ANNUAL FSU’S GREAT GIVE A SUCCESS 

Florida State University raised more than $1 million during its 13th annual giving day event, FSU’s Great Give, on March 6.

FSU’s Great Give received support from 7,242 donors, bringing in $1,149,569.55 in just 24 hours.

Donors helped fund more than 100 projects from over 30 colleges and units.

The number of donors grew 40% from the 5,155 donors for FSU’s Great Give 2023, and dollars raised increased by 14% from $1,009,027.

“When the FSU community unites, we bring the Seminole spirit, and there is nothing we can’t achieve,” said Sadiki Perry, assistant director for digital and social giving for the Florida State University Foundation. “Each year, we continue to grow and surpass the previous year’s count of donors and dollars raised.”

Most impressive was the turnout of donors and dollars raised for the College of Music to send the FSU Marching Chiefs to Dublin in August.

FSU’s Great Give will return in March 2025. To make a gift to Florida State academics, visit give.fsu.edu or call (850) 644-6000.

Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on X @jackgwilliams.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU Marching Chiefs surpass Ireland trip fundraising goal, Mike Norvell donates