The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Sky’s the limit for local ladies’ Meningitis fund-raising efforts
TWO young north Kerry women will jump out of an aeroplane at 10,000ft to raise vital funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Rachel Walsh, from Ballyheigue, and Úna O’Connell, from Kilflynn, will undertake the skydive next month to raise money for a charity that is very close to their hearts.
“The cause is very close to both of us,” Rachel told The Kerryman. “I had meningitis twice, once when I was eight, and again when I was 18, but I was very lucky that it was caught very fast, and I made a full recovery. As we know first-hand the effects of meningitis, it encouraged us to raise funds for this charity, but along with raising funds, we are aiming to raise awareness too”.
To help raise funds and awareness, Rachel and Una will host a coffee morning on Thursday week, July 27 in Teach Beag on The Mall in Tralee with teas, coffee and homemade pastries on offer in exchange for a small donation which will be greatly appreciated by the charity.
There will also be a generous raffle for spot prizes that have been donated by local businesses from Tralee, including Benners Hotel, The Aqua Dome, and tickets for Sharon Shannon tickets, and many more.
“Local businesses have been very generous to us since we started our fundraising efforts,” Una said. “Along with the spot prizes that have been very kindly donated by lots of local businesses, we have also received considerable donations from our former school, Brookfield College, and CH Chemist. These donations have really helped our fundraising efforts, which we’re very grateful for.”
Rachel and Una have also set up a ‘GoFundMe’ page online to meet their €1,500 target, which they need to raise to do the skydive in August. Donations would be gratefully accepted.