Aidan O’Brien backs dog night
RENOWNED international horse trainer Aidan O’Brien was in Enniscorthy to officially launch the Friends of Wexford Hospice Homecare Race Night which will take place at Enniscorthy Greyhound Track on Sunday, October 28.
Mr O’Brien, who is a native of Killigney, Clonroche, has been a long-time supporter of the work of Wexford Hospice Homecare ( WHH) and the organisers of the launch were delighted that he was able to be present.
His attendance and endorsement of the event was viewed as a major boost for the upcoming night.
At the launch Mr O’Brien called for a ‘whole hearted’ response from the general public and in doing so praised the work of everyone involved with WHH. He said the Hospice Homecare team ‘is greatly appreciated and admired all over the county’.
‘ Their work, reflects the highest standards of professional care for the terminally ill and as such their efforts deserve fulsome support from every sector of society,’ he said.
Mr O’Brien, who became Ireland’s youngest ever Champion trainer in 1996 and has held the overall title continuously since 1998, said he was delighted to be asked to the launch.
He also expressed delight at lending his name to the event.
‘Wexford Hospice Homecare fully deserves the recognition of always being available when needed and of always providing the highest professional standard of medical care to cancer patients,’ he said.
Friends of Wexford Hospice Homecare (FWHH) is a voluntary group composed of business people and private individuals who combine their efforts to raise money for the organisation.
The team members have also worked collaboratively at organising the race night in the hope of raising as much money as possible for a very worthy cause.
All money raised from the event will go towards supporting the continuing work of the service which provides palliative care for the terminally ill across the county.
A spokesperson for the organising committee highlighted there are very few families who have not encountered or required the services of the WHH team at what is always a ‘very fragile time’ in their lives.
‘For the team to continue providing such a service, a generous response from the public to fund raising events is essential,’ said the spokesperson.
He also highlighted the fact that the Hospice Homecare Service is provided free-of-charge to those in need.
‘It’s very existence is totally dependent on public subscriptions and donations and the up-coming race night at Enniscorthy Greyhound Track is just one way in which the people of Co Wexford can show their appreciation by attending in large numbers,’ he said.
Of added significance to the event is the fact it will be the first time that racing will be held at the track on a Sunday night and the organisers are hoping this will lead to an increase in the number of people attending.
The organising committee is composed of: Brendan and Christy Murphy, Ballinaboola; Mike Nolan, Marshalstown; Eamon Mernagh, Oylegate; Bill Nolan, Davidstown; Tom Kenny, Castledockrill; Charlie Bradley, Newbawn, and Robert Bennett, Ballinakill, Ballycarney.
Tickets for the event, priced €10, are now on sale and according to the race night Chairperson, Robert Bennett, the reaction from the public so far has been ‘phenomenal’.
Advertising space on the race night programme is also available and details of how to book a space and the cost involved can be obtained by contacting the Chairperson on 087-4146801.
At the launch Mr Bennett also spoke and reflected on the ‘wonderful work being done by Wexford Hospice Homecare’ and highlighted how the organisation is entirely funded from voluntary donations.
The FWHH committee was formed in 2012 when Marshalstown, Camross and Newbawn Drama Groups banded together in an effort to raise badly needed funds for the Hope Centre in Enniscorthy.
Since then the committee has expanded its theatrical offerings to include Wexford Hospice Homecare and over the past seven years has raised €53,790 for both deserving charities.