Cara Tighe special guest at County Show launch
SEVEN- YEAR- OLD Cara Tighe was special guest at the launch last Sunday of this year’s County Sligo Agricultural Show.
It will be held on Saturday, July 19th in Riverstown Community Park.
Each year remaining funds left over from the previous year's Show is donated to a worthy cause.
This year the chairman, Michael Harte and his committee chose to support local girl Cara Tighe and her dream to walk.
Cara has cerebral palsy and her family attended the launch at Teach Ceoil in Riverstown.
Imelda Ryan- Jones, a volunteer with the Show since 2011, shared Cara's story of her dream to walk via a visual presentation.
This included a selection of photos and videos that Imelda had compiled as Green- Schools Education Officer, with Cara's school on the Green- Schools Travel theme.
Imelda said: “It is extremely fitting that the committee has elected to donate money to Cara's fundraising campaign on the 20th Anniversary since the County Show was rescued by Paddy Kenny and his team of volunteers in 1994.
“Paddy was a neighbour of Cara's family and great at inspiring others.
“Cara's determination to learn to walk all by herself is certainly inspirational.”
Those in attendance were delighted to learn more about Cara's dream to walk.
Chairman Michael Harte said: “It was quite emotional hearing Cara's story.
“Although we donated € 300 to her campaign I wish we could have given more.”
Cara's dad Damian thanked everyone for their continued support in helping Cara to fulfill her dream.
He said: “The money raised goes solely towards the weekly physiotherapy costs in Limerick.
“Every euro helps and we are extremely grateful to the Sligo County Agricultural Show for their donation.”
Prior to the move to Riverstown the County Show had been held in the Showgrounds in Sligo since 1908.
It was the County Show that gave the Showgrounds its name.
Gerard Mullaney officially launched the Show and he encouraged those in attendance to inspire their friends and family to attend.