The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Honda Run turns its attention to Castleisland Day Care Centre
THE counting of registration fees, donations and subscriptions is still ongoing in the wake of Sunday’s eighth annual Honda Bike Run and a cheque presentation night will be arranged as soon as that’s all in.
On a showery Sunday morning just after 11am up to 80 bikes of all makes, shapes and sizes and up to 80 riders of all makes, shapes and sizes left Castleisland Day Care Centre for the annual Honda Bike Run.
On the go every year since 2009, the charity run is the brainchild of College Road Honda enthusiast, Jim Griffin. The event was and is a memorial to Jim’s late brother John who died after an accident in August 2008.
Since the early years of the event, Jim has drawn a few close friends and relations around him to handle various aspect of the day. The clockwork running of the undertaking hasn’t changed and it won’t as long as Jim is involved.
It has acted as a fundraiser for the Castleisland branch of St. John of God for the first seven years of its existence.
This year it has pledged its support to Castleisland Day Care Centre. The organisers will probably invite another local charity to apply for the proceeds of next year’s run – according to Jim.
Fellow enthusiasts from all over Munster and a handful from further afield began to arrive in Creamery Lane early on Sunday morning. A fantastic array of beautiful bikes began to appear from trailers and vans along the lane.
In the course of the run the bikers and their back-up and outriders took in an 80 mile circuit which visited places like: Tralee, Fenit, Ardfert, Ballyheigue and Kerry Head. There was a quick food break in Ballyheigue before they all headed back to Castleisland. Local barber, Pat Scannell then plied his trade on beards and heads to add to the funds for the cause. At the end of the day they all enjoyed a barbecue at the day care centre.
The cheque presentation to the ‘day centre’ management will wind up the affairs of Honda Run 2016.