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Launching the Balloon Fundraiser in aid of the Palliative Care Centre were Ted Moynihan and Mairead Fernane of Kerry Hospice, Kerry Rose Breda O’Mahony and Mary Shanahan of Kerry Hospice. Photo by Dermot Crean
A FUNDRAISER started by a former Rose of Tralee will return this year to help the Palliative Care Unit which opens in October.
Kerry Hospice volunteers will return to the Town Park again this year on Sunday, August 20 to launch balloons to remember loved ones who have survived or passed on from cancer.
Rose of Tralee 2015 Elysha Brennan started the fundraiser last year to remember an Abbeydorney woman, Helen O’Connor Roche, whom she met on a visit to the Palliative Care Unit in the lead up to being crowned Rose of Tralee back in 2015. Sadly, Helen passed away in January 2016.
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The event was a huge success last year, despite poor weather, and organisers are hoping the public lends its support again this year.
Balloons will be on sale on the Sunday in the Town Park and attached to the balloon will be a card on which people can write a message to support their loved ones or to send a message ‘Over the Rainbow’ to remember their loved ones.
The event will be MC’d by a member of the Festival and the 2016 Rose of Tralee, Maggie McEldowney will be on hand to help release the balloons. All funds raised will go towards the new 15 bed unit at University Hospital Kerry.
I’m concerned the balloons aren’t biodegradable? I’m pro fundraising but think of the environment.
Hi I’m sure it’s because you just don’t know about this, but releasing hundreds of balloons is as bad as throwing hundreds of plastic bottles into the sea. Because that’s where the balloons end up. They kill birds and sea life and pollute our beaches. Here’s a video about it: https://youtu.be/6E3TggqKjUY. Please reconsider.