At the cheque handover of €20,000 to Kerry Cancer Link Bus were, from left: Sean Predergast, Breda Dyland, Neilus Lenihan, Collate Price and Jay Galvin. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
FOR seven years €35,000 lay in a bank account after a fundraising parachute jump involving a Tralee native, but on Thursday the account was cleared out.
The good news is that the cash has gone to three great causes, with the lion’s share going to a Tralee-based charity.
A sum of €20,000 has gone to the Kerry/Cork Health Link Bus, €10,000 to Oncology Unit in Cork University Hospital and €5,000 to Pieta House.
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Neilus Lenihan, originally from St Brendan’s Park, but now living in Knocknagoshel, was one of the people behind raising the money and was there to hand over the cheque at the Manor West Hotel on Thursday.
His wife Carmel, passed away from cancer five years ago.
“€35,000 had been in an account for seven years so we decided last week it was time to finally pick the charities we wanted to give it to,” said Neilus.
“My wife, Carmel, died of cancer, but also one of the woman who helped organise the parachute jump, Linda Striker had cancer, so cancer is something that has touched us,” said Neilus.
The announcement of the funds has been a fantastic shot in the arm for volunteers of the Kerry/Cork Health Link Bus.
“I got a phone call out of the blue Wednesday night that we have been given a cheque for €20,000. I couldn’t believe it and I’m still in shock actually,” said Jay Galvin of Kerry/Cork Health Link Bus.
The Kerry/Cork Health Link Bus is a community project that brings cancer sufferers in Kerry to and from Cork University Hospital for treatment. The service is open to all, without referral and at no cost.
“We are so thankful to Neilus Lenihan and the people he has with him. It’s extraordinary the amount that has been raised,” said Jay.
“The money raised will meet our running costs for about three months, it’s a hugely generous gesture to our organisation and for the people we provide our service to. It helps us get out there and work harder at what we are doing. It’s a great incentive,” he said.
At the cheque handover of €20,000 to Kerry Cancer Link Bus were, from left: Roger Price, Trish Kelly, Sean Predergast, Neilus Lenihan, Collate Price, Jay Galvin, Niall O’Shea, Tara O’Shea, Breda Dyland and Dan Horan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
