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At the presentation of the proceeds of the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5/10k event were, front, Eoin Kelliher, Sandra O’Dowd, Fiona O’Dowd and Joe Hennerbery. At back; Karl Keohane, Linda O’Connor, Ellie Laverty, Timmy O’Dowd, Michelle Greaney, Martin Dennehy, Lorraine McCarthy, Eileen Horan, Matt Moloney and Tommy O’Dowd. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was a night when the community of Tralee came together to remember a much-loved Tralee man and the Palliative Care Unit at UHK was the big winner.
Back on Friday, August 3, around 650 people hit the road for the Robert O’Dowd Memorial 5k/10k walk/run and the upshot of it all was that it raised over €12,000 for the facility that cared for Robert during his illness.
Robert was a prominent sportsman and great family man who was John Mitchels through and through. He passed away in March after a battle with cancer.
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Some high profile participants were among the runners, including Liverpool FC legend Alan Kennedy, rugby’s Mick Galwey, John Leahy of Tipp hurling fame and Aidan O’Mahony.
The sports stars also took part in a panel discussion later that night in Benner’s Hotel that drew a large crowd and proved a fitting end to the day.
Eoin Kelliher and other members of the organising committee were on hand to present the cheque for €12,070 to Joe Hennebery of Kerry Hospice on Wednesday night.
“The community of Tralee came out in force and we’d like to thank them. I want to thank the committee and the sponsors. It just shows what the people of Tralee can do when they put their mind into it. Hopefully we’ll organise another fundraiser in the future,” he said.
Joe Hennebery thanked Eoin and the committee for their efforts and said any fundraisers in aid of the unit are welcome.
Also attending the presentation were members of Robert’s family, brothers Tommy and Timmy, wife Sandra and daughter Fiona.
“We just like to thank everyone for showing up,” said Tommy O’Dowd. “It was a fabulous turnout for the run and the event in Benner’s and we want to thank them for their kind donations to the unit.”
