IT’S always a major night of fun and entertainment as Friends of University Hospital Kerry  get set for their annual Gala Benefit Night next month.

Sponsored by Kerry Group, the event will take place on Friday, July 8, at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the fundraising programme, which has raised in excess of €2 million since its inauguration in 1991. The fundraising target for the 2016 event is €100,000 and the money raised will be used to buy equipment for several departments in the hospital.

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This year’s fundraising effort will be supported the Denny Kerry District League who have teamed up with the Friends of University Hospital Kerry, where all the Kerry soccer clubs will be paired with a greyhound in the Denny KDL Champions League Sweepstake.

Over the years, funds raised have been used for the provision of essential equipment at the hospital, which delivers critical services to families throughout County Kerry, West Limerick and North Cork. Examples of equipment donated to date include; CT and DEXA Scanners, cardiac and paediatric technologies and Laparoscopic equipment for keyhole surgery, as well as numerous other important pieces impacting almost every department.

The DEXA Scanner which was purchased by the Friends of Kerry General Hospital at a cost of €110,000 was officially opened on 8 February 2016. This equipment is key in the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with osteoporosis. At the opening Tom McCormack, Consultant Surgeon, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the hospital to the Friends of University Hospital Kerry and to the people of the area for their generosity.

At the launch of this year’s Gala Benefit Night, Dr. Richard Horgan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, referred to the importance of the ultrasound equipment to be funded through this year’s event.

This specialised ultrasound machine for examining pregnant mothers and women with gynaecology problems will provide detailed information about women’s health and the health of babies before birth.

Tom McCormack, Consultant Surgeon, thanked Liam Brassil, the Friends of University Hospital Kerry and Kerry Group for the significant level of fundraising over the last 26 years, without which the Hospital could not provide its current level of service.

Frank Hayes, Director of Corporate Affairs at Kerry Group commented, “Kerry Group is proud to be to be the main sponsor of University Hospital Kerry’s Gala Fundraising Night which is an extremely worthy cause. Raising funds to buy much needed equipment, so that the hospital can continue to care for and support patients and families from the region is something we are delighted to support. We wish the organisers of this event every success in reaching this year’s target of €100,000.”