A TEAM of young East Clare men are hoping to provide a ray of hope this Christmas for families and individuals affected by the stress of cancer and mental heath issues.

Tomás Meade from Quin has joined forces with five friends, all former pupils of St Flannan’s College, to get the Light the Way light photo competition under way in aid of Milford Hospice and Pieta House.

The return to Level 5 restrictions put paid to plans to hold a tractor and truck run and the lads are now urging tractor and truck lovers around the county to light up and send them photos of decorated vehicles of all kinds.

“This year has been really tough for so many people and very hard for people anyone going through cancer treatment,” said Tomás, an Automotive Engineering student at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT). “Mental health is another issue that affects the whole community and a lot of people have been suffering this year.”

The organising team, all of whom have been affected by cancer, also includes Kevin Clohessy, Shane O’Halloran, Eoin Burke, Gary Keane and Seán Hegarty. “We’re from Doora-Quin, Ballyea and Ennis and are friends since St Flannan’s,” explained Tomás. “We’re all 18 and 19 and the restrictions have been tough this year, but we decided we might as well do something positive for people and we’re hoping they’ll get behind the fundraiser.”

There will be prizes for the Best Lit Up Tractor and Truck, as well as three prizes for those who donate. Everyone who donates on
Gofundme.com, (search for Light the Way) will automatically entered into the draw, which will be held at the end of January.
Photos can be emailed to light.the.way.2021@gmail.com or shared to @LighttheWay2021 on Facebook.

More information is available from Tomás on 085-2809238 or Gary on 085-2835001.