Massive turnout for Kerry-Cork Cancer Connect Bus Vintage Run

CORK and Kerry may be locking horns in the Munster Senior Football Championship in Killarney this Saturday, contrasting to last weekend when car enthusiasts from both counties united for a Vintage Run supporting the Kerry-Cork Cancer Support Group Bus Service.

Millstreet Vintage Club hosted the event, welcoming 130 vehicles to the Town Square before undergoing a scenic trek along the Cork and Kerry county bounds and onto a finish at the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney.

Prior to departure, all those registered enjoyed the hospitality at Millstreet’s Wallis Arms Hotel and entertainment from Neily O’Connor and Dermot Moriarty.

The Kerry Cancer Support Group was founded in 2000 , the Group’s mission is no one should face their cancer journey alone, the Support Group is devoted to maintaining a warm, welcoming environment while ensuring that service users have immediate access to our free programmes and resources.

Breeda Dyland, CEO Kerry Connect expressed thanks to Millstreet Vintage Club for helping their cause.

“We receive no state funding, we are a small charity who undertake a big job, solely dependent on subscriptions and fundraisers to keep us on the road. It all started with a small bus 14 years ago, now we have three full time buses on the road”, said Breeda.

“Since we started, 75% of those diagnosed from the Region have utilized the bus. During 2023, we transported 4,500 people to appointments, translating that to car journeys, that would clog up roads and importantly, it eases the burden for patients”.

“The Millstreet Vintage Run creates an awareness of our existence, the service is free to users, cracking Cancer together everyday in our service, people get to their treatment in a positive frame of mind”, said Breeda.

Co-ordinator Aidan O’Sullivan expressed delight at the huge support for the Millstreet event on supporting a valuable service where so many people utilize the bus service.

“We want to thank everyone who came to the event from both near and far, a big thank you goes to all the hardworking marshals, bike marshals, sign on and registration crew, Gardaí, businesses for providing a bucket facility and to everyone who helped out in any way”, said Aidan.

Also contributing to the success of the staging were sponsors John A O’Sullivan Car Dismantlers; Donal Dennehy Dry Lining, Firies; Relihans Car Dismantlers and Breakers; and Agri Auto Parts.