Brenda’s haven dream a reality as Killorglin centre opens

THERE was a heart-warming show of community spirit at Killorglin Day Care Centre on Wednesday night last, when dozens of locals gathered for an open evening at Recovery Haven Kerry’s new outreach service in the town.

The night was especially poignant for the family and friends of local lady Brenda Macbeth, who before her untimely death, made it her ambition to see Recovery Haven Kerry open a drop-in service locally.

Before losing her own battle with cancer, Brenda had experienced first-hand the many wonderful services offered by Recovery Haven Kerry and set about raising funds so that the same facilities could be made available to the people of Killorglin and surrounding areas.

On Wednesday night friends, family and supporters of Brenda saw her dream come to fruition, with the cancer support charity showcasing the wonderful range of free services it now offers in the town.

Recovery Haven Kerry manager, Siobhan MacSweeney, paid tribute to the committee who continued Brenda’s work after her passing and saw her dream become a reality, telling the assembled guests that they were proof that extraordinary things can be done by ordinary people. She said that it was a privilege for the charity to finally open its door in Killorglin, and encouraged locals to drop in and see what the charity has to offer for those affected by cancer.

The service operates on the second Thursday of each month from 10-2pm, offering yoga, mindfulness, art therapy and a drop-in listening service run by the charity’s trained volunteers.

“We want to let the people of Killorglin and surrounding areas know that we are here to offer a safe place to access information, emotional support and practical help, Whatever stage a person is at on their cancer journey” Siobhan explained.

On the night, Recovery Haven also received a wonderful donation of €750 from the Purcell family from Sunhill, who chose the local cancer support service as one of the beneficiaries of their 2017 Christmas Lights display.

The Purcell family from Sunhill made a donation of €750 to Recovery Haven on Wednesday night. Pictured at the presentation were (l-r) Charlotte Ambrose, Amy Kelly, Joseph Purcell, Melissa Macbeth, Recovery Haven Manager Siobhan MacSweeney, Denise...

RIGHT: Martina Fleming, Brendan O’Sullivan and Recovery Haven art therapist and mindfulness practitioner, Nikki Roberts.

LEFT: Tess Kelly, Mary Costello and Pat Tyther at the Recovery Haven open evening in Killorglin on Wednesday.

FAR LEFT: Mary Tyther, Aoife Flynn and Pauline Armstrong.

NEAR LEFT: James Sheehan and Dodo Sheahan at Wednesday night’s open evening in Killorglin.