From Kerry to Calais for a good cause

KERRY-WIDE CALL FOR VITAL SUPPLIES FOR JUNGLE REFUGEE CAMP IN FRANCE

WITH winter closing in, ‘Kerry to Calais’ are keen to gather donations from across the county for the ‘jungle’ refugee camp, where life-saving supplies are running low.

The camp holds over 5,000 men, women and babies, and Sally MacMonagle told The Kerryman that certain items would be particularly welcome:

“The coldest months are on the way, so it’s crucial we collect good winter clothing,” Sally said.

“We also need sheltering items like tents, tarps, sleeping bags, therma rests and sleeping mats.”

Kerry to Calais drop-off points, which remain open until October 15, are located at Killarney’s Presentation Secondary School, Phonesavers on College Street in Killarney, Listowel’s John B Keane’s Pub, and Play at Height in Dingle.

A sorting and packing day has been scheduled for October 16 at 12pm at Dingle’s Play at Height, before the goods collected will be transported to Calais by three vans. A further trip will embark with collected items on November 2.

Kerry to Calais extends its warmest thanks to Play at Height, Kerry Coaches, and Killarney Glass for supplying and sponsoring the vans.

The group is also preparing for further initiatives prior to its trips to Calais, which includes the exciting ‘Brain of Kerry’ competition.

“The event will be held at 7.30pm sharp on October 27, and it’s a truly unique quiz,” Sally said. “Simultaneous quizzes will be held in different venues across the county, pitting all the county’s main towns against each other to see where the best brains in Kerry are based!”

Venues confirmed so far include The Killarney Avenue Hotel (Killarney), John B Keane’s (Listowel), The Old Forge (Killorglin), and Nelliefred’s (Dingle), with Tralee’s venue set to be confirmed.

Sally added ‘we are also holding an flashback ‘90’s NO Disco, Disco’, on October 15, which will be an incredibly fun event.’ It’s to take place at Courtneys Bar in Killarney from 9pm, with spot prizes and volunteers for the event welcome.

Monies raised will be used to finance camping equipment, and purchasing food supplies in France after the clothing and shelter drop-off to the camp is completed.

Donations can also be made until the end of October to a Credit Union account opened by Kerry to Calais, with details as follows: B.I.C - KIROIE21, IBAN - IE42kIRO99219320036446.

Further information can be availed of by contacting Sally at (087) 720 2252, or through e-mail at sallymacgonagle@gmail.com. The ‘Kerry to Calais’ Facebook page also regularly provides updates.

Photograph by Don MacMonagle. Sponsors Mike O’Shea, ‘Play at Height’, James Looney, ‘Killarney Glass’, Johnny Buckley, ‘Kerry Coaches’, along with Kieran Somers and Sally MacMonagle organisers of ‘Kerry to Calais’ charity group, who are all travelling to Calais in France to deliver...