Cookery demonstration raises €12,600 for cancer centre

A FUNDRAISING cookery demonstration with Neven Maguire, held in the Armada Hotel, Spanish Point recently, raised €12,609 for the West Clare Cancer Centre in Kilkee. The event was organised by Kate McInerney from Spanish Point, who was given transport by the West Clare Mini Marathon Cancer Fund when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2010.
“Since the West Clare Cancer Centre provided transport for me, to access my chemotherapy treatment, it has always been my wish to give something back to support the centre that were so supportive to me,” Kate said. The venue was packed for the event, which attracted people from throughout the county.
“I have been overwhelmed by the positive response and the tremendous support from so many who helped in relation to my fundraising initiative. It has been a great privilege to have been able to organise the demonstration in order to raise funds for the cancer centre,” Kate added.
Eleven stall holders, who showcased food produced locally and throughout Ireland, also participated in the event, while Neven Maguire was the main attraction.
“Neven clearly demonstrated why he is one of Ireland’s best-known chefs. His interaction with the audience and the pleasure he gets from cooking were a joy to see. The West Clare Cancer Centre intend to use the money raised from this event to provide more palliative aid for cancer patients cared for in their own home and already have ordered Riser Recliner chairs, which will make it a little more comfortable for patients to rest,” Kate said. 
The mini marathon and associated fundraisers have raised more than €1.7m since 1998. A mini bus service, funded by the committee, currently operates from West Clare to Limerick five days per week. The bus brings patients to Limerick for cancer treatment, while taxi services, again supplied by the mini-marathon committee, operate from Kilmihil, Miltown and Ennistymon.
The West Clare Cancer Centre is open Monday to Thursday from 11am to 2pm and on Saturdays from 2 to 3pm. The centre, which is located just off O’Curry Street in Kilkee, can be contacted on 065 9060762.
Among the other services provided by the committee are funding for cancer patients and their family members travelling to Lourdes; palliative aids for patients’ home use; funding for palliative care units in Regina House, Kilrush and Ennistymon Community Hospital, while professional counselling is offered at the cancer centre.