‘MEET OUR BRAND NEW BUS’

...ROLL ON BUS NO.2 ! TEXT-LINE IS SET UP FOR NEW CAMPAIGN

THE Buy a Bus Campaign on behalf of the Kerry Parents and Friends Association (KPFA) has raced to its ambitious target in just weeks - and it’s already set its sight on its next goal.

On Friday a brand new wheelchair-accessible bus was launched at the association’s base at the Old Monastery in Killarney. A cheque of over €50,000 was presented to the group, but a grateful Agnes Casey Rooney, who’s been at the forefront of the successful fundraising campaign, says this is only the start.

“We’ve reached our target of €50,000 already, even though our fundraising only got up and running in October,” she said.

“I think it’s a testament to the generosity of people from Kerry and further afield. KPFA is entirely reliant on fundraising as it receives no state funding, and I think it would be impossible to put into words how much everyone’s generosity means to the association’s clients and their friends and families.”

“But they need another bus, and we’ve already turned our attention to that now. We’re setting up a text line so people can donate €4 by texting BUS to 50300, as is proudly emblazoned on the new bus and its colourful wrapping.”

Agnes and her sister Mairead have, like many others, benefited enormously from the charity’s work.

Mairead has Down Syndrome, and KPFA has assisted her for decades. That helping hand has become even more important in recent years. Their mother passed away in 2015, and Agnes has cared for Mairead on a fulltime basis ever since.

“She’s been largely confined to a wheelchair for a number of years following a narrowing of her spine, so the help that I, and many others, receive from KPFA is beyond valuable – I’ve always wanted to give something back,” she told The Kerryman recently.

“After becoming aware of the fact that all of KPFA’s buses are over ten years old, I felt it might be best to invest in new transport for them.”

The bus has made appearances at events in Killarney and Killorglin over the past week. For Agnes, this was a way of thanking the people, and giving them a glimpse of what their generosity has achieved.

“When we started out I couldn’t have dreamed about having the bus within just two months,” she said.

“Bringing the bus to parades in Killarney and Killorglin was a way of showing people what they have done. I think the people at those events appreciated our gesture, and I hope they stay behind our campaign now as it moves onto its next mission. But we’re hugely thankful for the way people rowed in behind our golf classic and our barn dance, and for the countless kind donations we received besides.”

The bus will be used by KPFA branches countywide, and its wrapping will make it stand out as it motors along the county’s roads.

Agnes hopes the visibility of the new bus will encourage people to stay behind the campaign as it steps up another gear.

“People will see exactly what they’ve contributed to,” she said. “The bus is lovely and colourful, and when it passes everyone will know it’s the KPFA Bus!”

To donate to the campaign, you can visit the KPFA website, or phone Agnes at (087) 986 5258.

The ‘Buy a Bus’ campaign for Kerry Parents and Friends has reached its goal in just a few short months as a brand new bus, pictured above at The Old Monastery in Killarney, has been secured. Now those goalposts have shifted and Agnes Casey Rooney has...