TWO ladies from Kerry have just embarked on a 24 hour swim in 17 counties in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group.
Rachel McCann from Leith, just outside Tralee, and Kathy O’Mahony Roberts from Ballyfinnane, aim to swim in each coastal county around Ireland in 24 hours this Saturday in aid of the Kerry Cancer Support Group to fund a wheelchair accessible bus which takes people to cancer related appointments.
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“Unfortunately we both had family members whom availed of treatment in Cork and Dublin and now we want to help make this wheelchair accessible bus a reality,” said Rachel.
“We are making our start at 5am Saturday morning and our first swim will take place in Limerick at Kilteery Pier. We would love the support of anyone would be around to do our final swim with us,” said the ladies. For more, see their fundraising page here.
.Ann Eager and friends present a cheque at Beaumont Hospital on Wednesday, the proceeds of a charity cycle last year.
A TRALEE woman presented a cheque for over €5,631 to the Beaumont Hospital Foundation in Dublin on Wednesday, following a fundraising event last year.
Ann Eager, who took on a charity cycle from Donegal to Derrymore in aid of the ICU in Beaumont and the Cardiac Rehab Unit in UHK back on October 2, 2021, eventually raising over €11,000.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit at University Hospital Kerry also received a similar cheque from Ann late last year.
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Ann, along with friends Breda and Martin Quirke and Sarah Hensman, took on the six day cycle of over 530 kilometres in memory of Ann’s late sister, Pauline Lynch, who sadly passed away unexpectedly in December 2019.
Ann wanted to thank the ICU unit in Beaumont for “their outstanding care of Pauline and the family while she was a patient there in December 2019”.
Beaumont Hospital Foundation wished to thank Ann and friends for the wonderful donation and also thanked all who contributed.
.Kay Browne, Fran Malone, Maree O’Connor, David Malone and Mark Bolger at the Garda collection for Inspired Group on The Mall on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
TRALEE gardaí were out in force on The Mall on Wednesday to undertake their annual Christmas charity collection.
Starting at 12.30pm, a band struck up with various guest singers throughout the afternoon and Santa Claus helping with the fundraising.
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Among them were members of Inspired group – the community-based project that aims to develop the employment, education and personal development skills of adults with intellectual disabilities – who sang songs and collected money in donation buckets.
The new Kerry Garda Division Chief Superintendent, Tom Myers, also came out to support the event. The weather was kind too which made for a fun afternoon for all. Scroll down for photos…
.Kerry Garda Division Chief Superintendent Tom Myers with Billy Galvin and Santa at the Garda collection for Inspired Group on The Mall on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot CreanGarda Cathy Murphy, Aine Murphy, Santa, Mike Hussey and Billy Galvin at the Garda collection for Inspired Group on The Mall on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Gardaí and members of the Inspired Group and volunteers at the Garda collection for Inspired Group on The Mall on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Donal Kelliher sings at the Garda collection for Inspired Group on The Mall on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot CreanMichael ‘Fox’ Connor at the Garda collection for Inspired Group on The Mall on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.RTE’s Miriam O’Callaghan and TV3’s Triona McCarthy, who have each lost a sister to cancer, join together to Paint it Pink for the Irish Cancer Society to fight breast cancer this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
TRALEE is getting ready to host a very special fundraising event later this month when the ‘Paint it Pink 5k Walk’ takes place from outside Greyhound Bar on Sunday, October 25 at 5pm.
The event is being organised as part of the ‘Paint it Pink’ campaign that is being run nationwide by the Irish Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Campaign.
Through this they are encouraging people across Ireland to hold their own pink fundraiser at home, in their community or at work to try and help raise vital life-saving funds for supporting breast cancer research and support services.
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This will be a family fun orientated walk with everyone encouraged to come down and attend the event.
This isn’t the only fundraising event taking place in Kerry.
A pink coffee morning and fashion show has been arranged for this Friday morning, October 16, in Ballyseedy Garden Centre starting at 11am in the café with the money raised from this going towards the ‘Paint it Pink’ campaign (see previous article here).
.Joan O’Keeffe (right) handing over the cheque for her fundraising efforts to Vice-Principal of St Ita’s and St Joseph’s Anne Galvin (left) and Business teacher, Ellen O’Rahilly. Photo by Dermot Crean
A TRALEE mum, who decided to raise funds for new equipment for a school extension, handed over a cheque for nearly €2,500 yesterday.
Joan O’Keeffe from Castlewood Park has a daughter attending St Ita’s and St Joseph’s school at Balloonagh.
The school opened a new extension in May, with two new post-primary ASD rooms, a multi-sensory room, social space, play area and staff room. However, funds were needed for multi-sensory equipment and ICT equipment for the autism classes.
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Joan decided to organise a 5k Walk4Autism event and table quiz in Gallys to help towards the costs. The event was held on July 12 and hundreds took part in the walk, with a great crowd turning up for the quiz later that night.
Joan handed over the cheque to the school on Tuesday.
“We’re very grateful to Joan for her fundraising efforts. You can be sure it’ll be put to good use here in the school,” said Anne O’Keeffe, Vice-Principal at St Ita’s and St Joseph’s.
Joan and the school wished to thank everybody who helped organise, provided facilities, spot prizes and helped out on the day to make the event such a success.
.Dr Tom Murphy, Mercy University Hospital with Brenda Doody at The Mercy Stars awards night in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cork on Friday 2nd October. Photo by Darragh Kane.
A TRALEE woman was honoured by The Mercy University Hospital on Friday for her fundraising efforts for the facility.
Brenda Doody from Curraheen was among the individuals, teams, and fundraising volunteers who go the extra mile for patients and colleagues at The Mercy University Hospital, officially recognised at The Mercy Stars awards night which was held in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cork.
Brenda was named The Mercy Stars Hero of the Year, recognising her for the marathon challenge she took on earlier this year following her husband Pat’s cancer journey at the Mercy.
In May 2014 Pat was diagnosed by Mr Tom Murphy with oesophageal cancer, and underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and had an oesophagectomy.
As a thank you to Consultant Mr Murphy and his team, Brenda committed to running 12 marathons in eight months, starting in March and finishing this October, in order to raise funds for The Mercy.
Today Pat is recovering well and Brenda is coming up to her last marathon having raised a phenomenal €21,000 to date.
The Mercy Stars, organised by the Mercy Hospital Foundation and The Mercy University Hospital, celebrate the people who, through their fundraising efforts, make things a little easier for patients, who help the Foundation invest in new technologies to ensure that The Mercy is at the forefront of the effective diagnosis, treatment and care of Mercy patients.
The awards also recognise the hospital staff, who in the eyes of patients, colleagues, peers and managers, make life better in the Hospital on a day to day basis.
Sponsored by KBC, and supported by Keanes Jewellers and Carry Out Blackpool, The Mercy Stars is one of the most highly anticipated events on the Mercy’s calendar.
.The injuries sustained to Ruadhan Hennessy, from a chip pan fire.
THE ABBEY Inn is hosting a fundraising gig this coming weekend in aid of Tralee’s Ruadhan Hennessy who suffered extensive burns to his legs during a chip pan fire in Canada back in August.
The ‘Rock for Rouie’ concert will take place on Sunday October 4 in the bar from 3pm until late with all proceeds from the event going towards helping Ruadhan cover the high cost of his medical bills (see previous story here).
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There will be music and entertainment on the night from a whole host of bands including: Comic Book Heroes, Oracle, Silkcut Blues Band, DJ Garry Fitz, Jimmy G & Johnny Bongos and other guests.
So far, fundraising efforts have managed to raise just over $9,000 of the $12,000 goal with friends and organisers of this latest effort hoping that the gig will go a long way toward reaching this target.
The event will take place in the upstairs in the bar with admission set at €10.
if you would like to donate to the efforts, you can do so through the fundraising page HERE.
The Tralee branch of the Irish Red Cross will hold a night at the dogs on Saturday night.
THE Tralee Red Cross are set to go to the dogs this coming weekend as part of their fundraising activities for their new HQ building.
The local branch of the organisation are hoping a big crows shows up at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium at 7pm this Saturday night September 12 where there will be hosting a fantastic night of entertainment for all the family.
With spot prizes and raffles available on the night, along with a the traditional competition for ‘Best Dressed Lady’ and ‘Best Dressed Gentleman’, it seems certain that almost anyone could come away with a ‘win’ on the night.
All profits from the event will be going towards helping to finish the much needed HQ that is to be used to house both ambulances and training equipment for the group.
So, if you’ve a free night planned for Saturday and you’re looking for something a bit different, then head on down to the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium for what promises to be a great night out.
Ron Cummins is hoping to raise funds and spread awareness for the Irish Hear and Lung Transplant Association.
A GALWAY man, who is currently on a huge 2500km fundraising walk all around the coast of Ireland, is in Kerry as part of his trek and will be seeking to spread awareness and raise much needed funds for the Irish Heart and Lung Transplant Association.
Ron Cummins, from Salthill, is a foster carer and a heart transplant recipient who has so far completed 2000km of his 2500km walk all the way around the Irish coast.
Together with his wife Carol, Ron will be handing out donor cards and talking to people they meet throughout the Kingdom about organ donation. As they make their way around the country, Ron and Carol will be relying on the kindness of friends, family and total strangers for places to stay.
He is currently making his way around the Dingle Peninsula before ending up in Tralee next Tuesday, September 8.
“Having benefited from organ donation myself and been involved with the Irish Heart and Lung Transplant Association ever since, I couldn’t be more aware of the need to raise awareness. I know I’m lucky; I was given a gift, a second chance at life. However not everyone is – in Ireland over a third of patients waiting for a transplant die while on the waiting list. This could be so different if only there was more awareness of organ donation,” said Ron.
“We’ve had some great chat with some wonderful, kind people, much of it about organ donation and fostering. We’ve been blown away by how friendly and supportive people have been,” he continued.
“Physically, the walk is taking its toll but I’m keeping on going, taking things one day at a time. Any time I find myself moaning about my knees hurting or pains in my legs or hips, I think of someone in hospital, waiting, not knowing if they are going to be the one who will die” he finished.
Those that would like to support Ron but are unable to join him on the road are invited to make a donation to the Irish Heart and Lung Transplant Association via the MyCharity website HERE, where he has so far managed to raise €924 of his target of €1,000.
To find out more about Ron’s walk, including details of his schedule and route, visit his page on the FFI website HERE or by calling Carol Brennan on 0864061217.
A GROUP of Kerry legends have been enjoying themselves in the States over the past few days and of course, they’ve got Sam with them as well.
The ex-Kerry GAA stars and officials are over for the week as part of a major fundraising initiative in the US, which will culminate with a charity auction tonight in New York to raise funds for the Centre of Excellence project in Currans.
Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston has been tweeting photos with a few of his old compadres and it looks like they are having a pretty good time.
Along with ‘Bomber’, other ex-Kerry stars on the trip are, Ogie Moran, Ambrose O’Donovan, Sean Walsh and Ger O’Keeffe.
Keeping an eyes on things, Micheal O’Muircheartaigh, can be spotted in one of the photos as well, adding to the stellar line-up of Kerry GAA personalities.
Mick Galwey, is part of the troupe also, but he’s not gatecrashing! In 1986 ‘Gaillimh’ won his only All-Ireland with Kerry before concentrating on rugby.
See Bomber’s Tweets below…
Here, Sean Walsh is on Sam duty, with Ambrose O’Donovan, Ger O’Keeffe, Eoin Liston and Mick Galwey following behind.
Amy O’Connor (right) with Sharon O’Connor, John O’Connell and little Adam O’Connell. Photo by Dermot Crean
A COMMUNITY will get together next Thursday to help a young Tralee girl who is undergoing an operation on her brain next month.
Twelve year old, Amy O’Connor from Cois Coille, will have an operation in the Beaumont Hospital, Dublin on May 7 to remove a cyst that has developed on her brain.
Friends and family have decided to try and ease the financial burden in any way they can, so have organised a fundraising quiz night in Na Gaeil Clubhouse on Thursday, April 9, at 7.30pm.
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“How it [the cyst] came to be highlighted was that Amy was complaining of a pain in her back last November,” said one of the organisers of the night, Mary Quillinan.
“Her mother was very vigilant and kept at medics to get it checked out. The surgery is a result of all that,” said Mary.
The cyst is pressing on her cerebellum and has caused her to lose her balance at times, along with other effects on her health, making the operation necessary.
The family are hoping to highlight the fact that any signs in a child, like those suffered by Amy, should not be ignored and should always be checked out.
“The reason that we are doing this fundraiser is that, financially, the operation and aftermath is going to be difficult for them. It’s all a for a very good cause,” said Mary.
Amy’s mother is Sharon O’Connor who works in the Shanakill Resource Centre.
She will be travelling with Amy to Dublin in May and will be staying in Dublin until Amy is well enough to come home.
Some of the funds raised will then be going to help Sharon cover the cost of her stay in Dublin.
The price of the quiz will be €20 per table and there will be plenty of food and spot prizes available on the night.
For more information, please feel free to contact John O’Connell at (087) 0534340 or alternatively Mary Quillinan at (087) 3642655.
Churchill GAA are hoping to raise money for the development of new facilities.
CHURCHILL GAA are all set to host a fundraising evening on Thursday, April 2, for the development of a new pitch for the club.
As it this is the centenary of the Churchill club, there has been a concerted effort to try and raise as much funds as possible.
The night will feature a whole host of entertainment including a fashion show with members of all the teams being encouraged to take part, a cheese and wine reception, make up demonstrations by CH Chemist and a whole host of spot prizes and raffle prizes being offered.
Tickets are €15 for adults and €7 for kids and can be purchased by contacting Kathryn at 087 2647195 or Tracey at 0876323206.
Tralee RFC is will host its fundraiser night on March 6 at 9pm.
Tralee Rugby Football Club are preparing to host a fundraising night on Friday, March 6 at 9pm in an effort to raise much needed funds for the club.
The event will be a race night that will be held in O’Donnells Bar in Mounthawk with cash prizes on offer for those lucky winners.
The club, which was recently the target of a burglary in which their floodlights were stolen, are hoping that the night will allow them to raise the money needed to replace the lights.
The club is asking everyone to try and come along and to bring friends and family in what promises to be a fun night in support of the club.
If anyone is unable to attend but would like to support the efforts of the club, then they are asking to consider sponsoring a jockey or owner at just €25 each or provide a spot prize for a raffle.
The Club is hoping to raise funds for the completion of its clubhouse.
A LOCAL club in Tralee is preparing to host Ireland’s first ever ‘on-the-water 24-hour rowathon’ this coming March.
The event, which will be run by Tralee Rowing Club (TRC), is aimed at creating awareness of the club and more importantly the recently constructed boathouse at the canal for which funding is needed in order to finish the project.
TRC was founded in September 2005, as part of an initiative by ‘Rowing Ireland’ to develop more rowing clubs in Ireland. It has continued to grow from strength to strength.
The clubhouse has been under construction for the last year, and the club is hoping that the rowathon will be a big help in finishing up the building.
The project currently has a shortfall of €15,000 which the club are hoping to raise through through sponsorship.
The aim is to have 48 crews participating, each crew rowing for a period of one hour (two crews per hour). Crews are welcome to enter multiple times. The entry fee is €20 per crew.
The event will take place from 2pm on Saturday, March 28 until 2pm on Sunday March 29 on the Canal in Tralee.
More information on rowing and the rowathon can be found here.
George Poff, Daniel Giles, Mona Butler and Grace O’Donnell at the Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
A FUN event was held in Ballyroe last night in aid of the three Church of Ireland churches which were damaged in the storms earlier this year.
‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ drew a good turnout to the hotel where an amazing €25,000 was raised by the event through advertising and sponsorship.
The three St John churches in Ballyseedy, Ballymacelligott and in Ashe Street were damaged earlier in the year and the funds will contribute greatly to their repair an upkeep.
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Everyone attending on the night was in with a chance of winning €1,000 and while nobody scooped the big cash prize, everybody had a great time.
The organising committee was delighted with the amount raised and thanked sponsors, advertisers and everyone else who made the night such a success.
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Patrice and Regina O’Hanlon at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Elaine Nolan and Caroline Fahy at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanErris O’Carroll, Debie Quirke and Caragh Cremins at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanAlan Boyle and Trevor Giles at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanClaire and Oliver Molloy with Niall Hanbidge at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanAdrian, Colette, Philip and Stuart Boyle at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanOrsolya Biro and Maurice O’Connell at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanJohn Hudson, Sarah Ronan, Barbara Hudson and Susan Keating at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanIrene O’Donnell with Brendan and Brenda Collins at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
