Put your best foot forward for Kerry Mountain Rescue group

ON the Sunday afternoon of September 24, from 3pm to 6pm, a céilí is being held in Knocknagoshel Community Centre in aid of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.

The event is being organised by John Nolan who has deep family connections with the service the team provides.

The music for the céilí will be played by Neilie O’Connor and admission is €10.

Kerry Mountain Rescue Team (KMRT) is made up of 35 entirely voluntary members who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The team respond to climbers and walkers in distress in the mountains of Kerry and south west Ireland.

During 2016 alone KMRT responded to 41 separate calls for help and assisted 40 people and dealt with two fatalities.

So far this year the team has responded to over 25 calls.

Income for the team is primarily sourced from donations and fundraising, with a small portion of funding coming from government grants.

The main areas of expenditure are in search and rescue equipment, insurance, training, vehicles and fuel.

The generous donation of proceeds from this céilí is greatly appreciated. The funding will be used to purchase and upgrade the group’s technical rescue equipment.

“We would like to thank John Nolan for this fund raising effort. It will help ensure KMRT continue to provide a professional mountain rescue service for the south west of Ireland,” said Alan Wallace, PRO for the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.

Anyone with any ideas for fundraising for the team or who my wish to donate can contact Alan on 087 2675360.

Céilí organiser, John Nolan (centre) pictured with Kerry Mountain Rescue Team members, Mick Long (left) and Mike Ward at Knockgoshel Community Centre. Photograph Courtesy of KMRT