West Kerry Tractor Run raises €43,000
LAST November’s West Kerry Tractor Run (Mórchuaird Tarracóra Corca Dhuibhne) was a roaring success, and it all culminated in a relaxed and spirited presentation last Saturday night at the Marina Inn, with both Dingle-based Gáirdín Mhuire Day Care Centre and the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA) picking up €21,000 each from the run’s organising committee.
Michael Geoghegan of the ILFA was present with his wife, Pat, while there was no shortage of representation for Gáirdín Mhuire, either.
Kerry Cancer Care have also received €500, with a further €500 set to be transferred to Dingle’s Men’s Shed, organisers explained.
The hugely successful event was co-chaired by Lios Póil men John Patrick O’Sullivan and Séamus Devane, who both have a connection with the main beneficiaries.
John Patrick received a lung transplant in 2016, while Séamus’s late wife, Noreen, received the best of care from Gáirdín Mhuire during a long illness.
The run itself was the highlight of a weekend of festivities and fundraising last November, with 147 tractors completing a loop around Corca Dhuibhne and, such was its impact, it even attracted coverage from US broadcasting giant ABC. John Patrick was in reflective mood after a few busy months.
“We had a good cross-section of people there on the night, from our families, friends, neighbours, and locals, and most of our outstanding committee were there as well,” he said. “The committee was made up of a very positive bunch of people.
“We’d also like to thank people and businesses from west Kerry and beyond for being so generous; the Kavanagh family and the Marina Inn for their support; as well as the people who actually brought tractors on the day.
“It’s impossible to know everyone who donated, particularly to the bucket collections, but the amount of money we gathered through those bucket collections was incredible.
“People were very generous, and it’s all very humbling,” John Patrick added.
The account remains open, so if you wish to donate, visit www. gofundme.com/west-kerry-tractorget in contact through facebook at www.facebook. com/Wktractorrun/; or phone John Patrick at (087) 280 9801.