Joanne’s Hoops4Hospice raises €7k and counting
THE old ‘ bird in the hand’ analogy was wisely rolled out by the organisers of Saturday’s Hoops4Hospice – a day long basketball extravaganza in honour of the late club stalwart Joanne Walmsley.
Joanne passed away on March 7th last after a long battle with cancer at only 43 years of age.
In the course of her sporting life she had achieved both ambition and distinction.
She wore the singlets of her club and town, county and country. She is one of the club’s outstanding heroines – as was clearly in evidence on Saturday at Castleisland Community Centre.
The proceeds of the 14 hour long day will all go the the Kerry Hospice Foundation.
They revealed that they had over €7,000 for sure and it could make the €8,000 mark as pledges and promises abounded on the day.
The final sum will be announced when it’s just that.
“There was huge support all day long with visiting clubs donating to the fund, people baking, businesses sending food and Garvey’s SuperValu giving so much throughout the day even though they are already sponsors of our home games,” said St. Mary’s club PRO, Liz Galwey.
“We also had very generous offers of support from The Barrack Fitness while referees and table officials waived normal fees in favour of the fund.
“Joanne’s nieces, six of them, led out the national league teams, Tom McCarthy’s and Tipperary Knights and her daughter, Labhaoise captained the U-20 team.
“It was heart-breaking but heart-warming stuff all day.
“The saddest part is that, while we can say it was a huge success, it really was a day that in an ideal world should never have had to happen,” said Liz.