Kerry in full bloom for Daffodil Day fundraiser

HUGE BOOST FOR IRISH CANCER SOCIETY AS KERRY DIGS DEEP TO SUPPORT ANNUAL DAFFODIL FUNDRAISER

IT may have rained but the county was dripping in glorious yellow last Friday as the Irish Cancer Society held its National Daffodil Day.

The annual event involves the selling of daffodil pins and bunches of the flower in aid of Cancer Research. Every year sees a successful turnout but this year in particular there was a marked rise in support across the county which will undoubtedly have a positive effect in the net amount raised.

Chairman of the Killarney and South West branch of the Irish Cancer Society Eugene O’Sullivan was suitably impressed with the support on the streets.

“The turnout this year was excellent. We saw a massive rise compared to last year which is fantastic.”

Eugene said the most impressive rise in support was seen in Rathmore where a very successful coffee morning and cake sale took place in St Joseph’s Day Care Centre.

There were even stands on the side of the road so that cars passing could stop and purchase something. “It was fantastic in Rathmore – Breda McAuliffe and her staff were amazing. So far we know that €2,800 was raised there but they are still counting so that could rise yet,” he added.

Meanwhile, in Killarney, there was also huge support for the annual event where many local schools and shops got involved in the day with some schools hosting a no-uniform day during which students wore something yellow instead of their school uniforms.

“So far, across all Killarney branches we have raised €22,000 but since the schools are closed for the Easter holidays they haven’t all been accounted for yet, so that again could be more,” Eugene said.

“It’s great to see such massive support for such a worthy cause because everyone, whether it’s directly or indirectly, is affected by cancer”.

In Tralee, volunteer Kathleen Needham spoke to The Kerryman as she was selling daffodils on The Mall.

“This is my first-year volunteering for this but I have been told that the support this year is much bigger than last year, she said.

“People are being very generous and are happy to donate for the cause. It’s amazing to see everyone wearing the daffodils – it’s brilliant.”

There was a huge response too in towns such as Listowel, Cahersiveen, Dingle, Kenmare and Sneem.

Overall, the Irish Cancer Society saw great support from the people of Kerry this year on Daffodil Day.

Well done and here’s to next year!

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Marguerite Mulcahy and Marie Bateman collecting for Daffodil Day in Killorglin on Friday. Kathleen O’Brien and Mairead O’Keeffe in Killarney on Friday. Pupils from St Michael’s Sneem supporting Daffodil Day. From left: Dearbhla O’Suillivan, Sarah...

Photo by Christy Riordan Mary O’Connor, Maureen Griffin, Chris Casey, Ann Musgrave, Betty Kelly and Ann O’Sullivan on Daffodil Day duties in Cahersiveen on Friday.