Pieta House Tractor run a major triumph

AS 2017 gave way to the dawn of 2018, a charity fund-raiser with a huge difference took to the roads of Kerry, with tractors from all over the county and beyond were bound for Killarney Country Club and a 5.30am assembly.

The Richard Giles Darkness Into Light memorial Tractor Run saw more than 220 tractors take to Killarney for an hour-and-a-half loop around the area, in an event described by Richard’s nephew and one of the main organisers, Robert Giles, as a major success.

In recent days, Robert and a good number of fellow supporters got together at Faha Court to present the funds raised, €6,290, to Con O’Connor of Pieta House Tralee. The New Year’s Eve event had been a success, but the extent of its success has now come to full light.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the run over Christmas,” Robert told The Kerryman in recent days. “We were only expecting around 100 tractors, so were delighted with how it went. But there are many more people that I’d like to thank, including my friends and my family. I’d also like to thank the guards for helping us organise the whole thing.”

With the cheque presentation taking place at Faha Court, it was also a time to remember the help members of that establishment had given the event.

“I want to thank Faha Court and Seán Mahony, as well as Charlie Coakley, for making their facilities available on the morning,” Robert said.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin. Robert Giles (centre-left) presents the cheque of €6,290 to Pieta House Kerry’s Con O’Connor at Faha Court, Listry, last Friday evening. He is joined by family, friends and supporters.