Huge turn out to raise funds for radio man Jim
A star-studded concert headlined by country singing star Declan Nerney was held in the Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy in aid of the Jim Kealy Prosthesis Fund.
The concert raised a five figure sum for the fundraising campaign which has a target of €20,000 to help with the cost of providing Jim with a new prosthetic limb.
The popular South East Radio personality has suffered from a congenital deformity since birth which necessitated the amputation of his left leg from below the hip when he was just 15 years of age.
Now aged 62, Jim remains philosophical about his condition and is grateful for the support he is receiving from friends, colleagues and members of the general public as efforts to raise the necessary funding for a new prosthesis gathers momentum.
The Riverside Park Hotel concert which also featured Theresa and the Stars, Gerry Gutherie, Pat McKenna, the Model Banner and Olivia Douglas raised a substantial proportion of the required €20,000 sum.
In an emotional ‘thank you’ for the support received, Jim said he would remain forever‘indebted’ to the many people who had contributed to the fund.
Speaking from the stage at the event, he spoke of his struggle to live a normal life and of how he was encouraged in that struggle by so many people, many of whom were present in the ballroom for the concert.
He singled out radio colleague Tony Kehoe as an example of the ‘caring individuals’ who contributed to the success of the concert and the fundraising effort and also mentioned Kathy Keane of Heritage Tours for her involvement which he described as ‘phenomenal’.
A native of Arklow, County Wicklow, Jim is a member of staff at South East Radio and is a well-known voice on the airwaves.
He is employed in the news department but regularly deputises for Alan Corcoran on the ‘Morning Mix’ Programme when Alan is absent or unavailable to present his show.
Now that a substantial portion of the required target has been raised, it is hoped Jim will be fitted with his new prosthetic limb early in the new year.