TLC4CF to benefit from second Captain’s Run

BOAT lovers and water enthusiasts from across the country will converge on Killaloe on Saturday for The Yachtsman Euromarine Captain’s Run 2011.
Now in its second year, the charity treasure hunt on Lough Derg follows the enormous success of last year’s inaugural event, which attracted more than 150 participants.
At least 50 boats are expected to join in the treasure hunt along Lough Derg, searching for playing cards hidden in mystery locations on the lake. The captain of the boat that returns with the best poker hand will be crowned Captain of the Lake.
Pleasure craft of all shapes and sizes are welcome to take part and all proceeds raised on the day will be donated to TLC 4 Cystic Fibrosis, the Mid-West branch of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.
“TLC4CF represents the three counties of Tipperary, Limerick and Clare that have come together to get better facilities for cystic fibrosis suffers at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick,” Linda Drennan, treasurer of TLC4CF, explains.
At present, the group is actively fundraising for the €1 million needed to fit out the new €4m cystic fibrosis unit, which is due to open at the Limerick hospital in January 2013.
“We have a lot of money raised for the build side of the project but we need to raise over €1m to kit out the new unit so we really appreciate the generosity of everyone who organises fundraising events for us, especially in the current climate and we are extremely grateful to the organisers of the Captain’s Run for thinking of us as these funds are badly needed,” Ms Drennan added.
The event has been organised by Yachtsman Euromarine, Portumna Marine, Derg Marina, Flanagan’s on the Lake and University of Limerick Activity Centre.
According to Andree Walkin of UL Activity Centre, the Captain’s Run 2011 is an ideal opportunity for boat lovers to enjoy a family fun day out on the water.
“We will be responsible for setting the course and there will be two different courses designed to suit the faster and slower boats, so whether you are a recreational boat user or a bit of a speed demon there is a course to suit you,” Ms Walkin promises.
“Last year we had boats of all shapes and sizes and at the end of the day, it’s the boat with the highest poker hand that wins, so it doesn’t matter if you’re in a small boat or a speed boat,” she added.
Irish international rugby player Ian Dowling will fire the starting gun before the race takes off outside Flanagan’s Restaurant in Ballina and participants are invited to dress up for the occasion.
Registration for the event is still open and anyone interested in taking part can register online at www.captainsrun.com.