Charities to benefit from run

ANYONE with even a passing interest in cars would have been in their element at the GAA grounds in Bunclody recently as cars rolled in from all over Leinster to take part in the now annual Aaron ‘Chip’ Byrne Memorial Run.

Aaron had a great love of cars, particular of the Japanese variety and the run was proudly led by his pride a joy - an impeccably maintained white Type-R Civic.

Aaron passed away in August of 2015 having suffered from kidney problems and other complications throughout his relatively short life.

As a youngster, he spent a lot of time in Crumlin Children’s Hospital and his friends and family decided that they along with the Irish Kidney Association would be ideal beneficiaries for a fundraiser in Aaron’s memory.

The event has really grown in stature over the last three years and this year saw a wonderful atmosphere as cars rolled in from all over the county and even as far away as Kildare and Dublin.

There was a distinct Japanese presence among them with all manner of Hondas and Toyotas on show and some impeccably maintained classics on display as well.

Winner of the Best Japanese Car was Alan Ferris from Gorey, while Kevin Dolly from Dublin won Best Euro and John Byrne from Ferns won Overall Best Show and Shine as judged by drifter TJ Berney.

‘We were very happy with it,’ said Aaron’s sister Cora.

‘ The feedback has been really positive. Everyone is saying that it’s getting bigger and better every year and we had people from all over take part this year. We think at the moment we’ve raised around €13,500 this year which is great.’

Another element this year saw Aaron’s very first car, another Honda Civic, tracked down by his family, and they invited people to sign their own messages under the bonnet.

‘We managed to track down his very first car and it was sent up to Richie Coleman and he restored it,’ Cora explained.

‘ This was the first car he owned when he was 18, so it has a lot of special memories.

‘We thought it would be nice to have a bit of memorabilia from the runs, so we invited people to sign underneath the bonnet. Next year, we hope to have both his cars on the road and leading the run.’

Aaron’s family wished to thank everyone involved in making the event such a success and they are already looking forward to next year.

Gavin Redmond, Carla Leonard, Vicky Martin, David Nolan and Rachel Berney.

Nicole Fitzgerald, Gwen Bohanna, Helen, David and Katie Breen and James Tyrrell.

Tina Kavanagh, D.J. Byrne, Siobhan Murphy and Maureen Dunbar.

Brooke Iannetta, David Byrne, Mason and Dario Iannetta, Noel Butler and John Meyler.

Some of the cars which took plart in the memorial run.