Tag Archives: fundraiser

COVID-19 may have resulted in lock-down and the cancellation of events throughout the county, however the Clare branch of the Irish Red Cross has continued its vital support of the community. Even with the pandemic, the branch’s community transport service, which brings people from all over the county to medical appointments, has helped more people than it did in 2018. In order to support the organisation’s work, the need for a second community support vehicle has been identified with the numbers currently being turned away greater than those being helped. James Lafferty, Treasurer and Community Support Officer explains, “The amount of people we have been helping has been unreal, we’ve been a lot busier since Covid.” However in order to achieve this the Clare branch have to raise funds and they are urging the people of the county to support the effort. James explains that due to Covid-19 the popular Tour of Clare fundraiser had to be postponed, and has …

THE Ennis family of a tiny tot diagnosed with a rare genetic condition are hoping that the Banner county will back fundraising efforts to help pay for treatment in the US. Olivia, known as ‘Livie’ Mulhern is just ten-months-old and has been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) – Type 1. Since her diagnosis parents Keith and Karen have launched a nationwide fundraising appeal to try and get Livie potentially lifesaving treatment with what has been described as “the most expensive drug in the world”. As part of the campaign Ennis’ Caoilfhionn Mulhern, Keith’s cousin, has organised an online ‘Clare Goes Pink for Livie’ fundraiser which has been supported by a number of local businesses. Caoilfhionn Mulhern explains that the fundraiser is due to be launched in the coming days and people will have a chance to win some fantastic prizes by making a donation to the appeal throughout the month. “The kind and generous businesses of Ennis have been …

THE future of the Ennis Musical Society is in doubt having suffered “substantial” losses after this year’s highly-anticipated production was shut-down due to Covid-19. However, the society is doing all it can to ensure that the show must go on and have launched an on-line fundraising campaign with a colourful, sing-along video. Ennis Musical Society were due to perform a run of Seussial the Musical last March, however Covid-19 forced the show to be cancelled after just one night. Chairperson Rachel Culligan tells us, “It was really heartbreaking to a lot of us to have put so much into the show and for the wider audience never really have gotten to see it and while we can all take comfort in the knowledge that we did the right thing it has unfortunately left Ennis Musical Society in a very critical position.” She explains that musicals cost tens of thousands of euros to put on, with sets, costumes, light, sound and …

EVENTS this summer are cancelled across the globe, but Relay for Life Ennis is keeping their promise not to give up until cancer does.   Instead of gathering at Tim Smythe Park, Relay for Life Ennis will be gathering virtually this year to help raise awareness and needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society. On Saturday, June 20 the Ennis community are asked to Relay from Home.  Auriol Considine, Relay for Life Ennis Chairperson, explains, “Relay for Life Ennis has grown into an important community event, and we didn’t want that community spirit to lose momentum. The virtual event is themed ‘24 for Life’ as the event runs typically for 24 hours. Everyone can get involved with activities related to the theme; do 24 laps of the garden, bake 24 cupcakes, sing 24 songs or 24 of anything else you enjoy doing. We are also running a children’s art competition with pictures of being at home for 24 hours. We’re encouraging …

IN 2009 Brian Hogan suffered severe brain damage after an unprovoked attack left him blind and partially paralysed. However, he hasn’t let that stop him. Brian who lives in Acquired Brain Injury’s (ABI) residential service in Clarecastle has gone from needing to use a wheelchair to taking on a mammoth walkathon challenge. Brian has vowed to walk the equivalent of 20 laps of Thomond Park, and just last weekend he surpassed his fundraising target of €10,000 for ABI, with donations still coming in. He will be taking on his final lap in style early next month, walking around the famous Thomond Park rugby pitch. Speaking about the fundraiser, Brian explains, “My fitness levels prior to my assault in 2009 were excellent as I attended the gym four times a week. I swam, ran and cycled. I was a non-smoker and in excellent health. As a result of my Acquired Brain Injury I suffered a right-side hematoma causing left sided weakness. …

A FUNDRAISING cycle in aid of Samaritans Ennis and Clare last weekend has raised over €1,700 with donations still coming in. Last Friday Ennis man Peadar White took on a 12 hour cycling challenge from his home. He told us he has been “delighted” with the response to the fundraising effort. “It was a great day. I had hoped to reach €1,500 but we’ve already gone over that and more is coming in. It’s great to see so many people supporting the work of Samaritans here in Clare.” Donations can be still be made online at www.idonate.ie/PeadarWhite12HourCycle or send a cheque to Ennis Samaritans, Sunville, Kilrush Road,Ennis County Clare. 

AN Ennis woman and some friends are putting their best foot forward and stepping in behind the county’s frontline healthcare workers. Gillian Davis Dunphy has organised a walking challenge which will see her and others complete 100,000 steps each within 24 hours this weekend. Funds from the endeavour will be split between Cahercalla Hospice and Sláinte An Chláir, (Clare Cancer Support) with more than €1,000 raised already. “The people who work on the front line, they’re walking in tough shoes and the least we can do is a few hours of a walk for them. We hope that by taking these steps and putting ourselves through one uncomfortable day we can help the workers who have to do even more difficult tasks day after day for our loved ones,” she says. “I set a target of €500, and thought if I got that I’d be delighted, but we’re way above it and donations are still coming in. I know there …

A CLARE teenager is proving to be a cut above with her fundraising efforts for the Irish Cancer Society. Ella Fitzpatrick, a transition year student at Colaiste Muire in Ennis is going to shave off her 14 inch long hair for the charity. The 16-year-old has been be joined by her father Tadhg and family friend John Galvin who will also both have their heads shaved. While two other Colaiste students, Rebecca Meaney and Emma Foxx have agreed to dye their hair pink for the cause. Already the fundraising drive has surpassed its €3,000 target, a delighted Ella tells us. She had planned to shave her head at an event at the Inn at Dromoland, however this had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. Instead, she will cut her hair this Saturday from the socially distant location of her Newmarket-on-Fergus home, and will video the occasion and put on social media. She explains that she had wanted to take part …