A community united

COUNTYWIDE, the community of Wicklow has continued to open its heart – and its pockets – to the Martin family from Rathnew.

As the family continues to receive treatment for Ciaran in Italy, the cash is still flooding in thanks to the many fundraising ideas thought up by local people.

Among the latest fundraisers were a huge night in the Bel-Air Hotel in Ashford, a car wash by the children of Marlton Springs in Wicklow town; a Rock and Roll bingo and quiz in the Grand Hotel which raised €4,500; a soccer tournament at An Tochar GAA Club which raised over €3,400; a race night in Shay Doyle’s pub brought in €5,890; and a raffle of signed Man Utd, Leinster and Ireland rugby jerseys in the Harbour Bar in Bray which raised €5,700.

Far from winding down, the events continue in the coming weeks.

This Saturday, May 13, a coffee morning and cake sale in Roundwood Parish Hall from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Proceeds from the ice cream party on this Sunday, May 14, from 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. in Ballymanus GAA field alongside the club’s field day will be split between the Martins and Down Syndrome Ireland. Anyone who missed out on tickets for Guns n Roses will be interested to hear that two tickets are being raffled at Ernie’s Bar in Wicklow. A raffle tickets costs €10. A family yoga festival will take place on the Abbey Grounds in Wicklow town from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 28.