THE West Coast Motorcycle Club have revved up behind plans for the creation of a sensory memorial garden at St Clare’s School in Ennis. While Covid-19 has seen many charitable events cancelled this year, the annual Toy Run by the West Coast Motorcycle Club went ahead earlier this month raising an amazing €2,000 for St Clare’s.
John Murphy of the motorcycle club said they were delighted to be able to once again do the toy run for St Clare’s “even in these different times”. He explained the reason behind the event was “simply to give back something to those who need it most”.
He added, “The school are raising funds to establish a sensory memory garden as a thoughtful tribute to all the young people and members of St Clare’s community who have sadly passed away over the years. This will be a quiet reflective place where one can be comforted and inspired.”
John expressed appreciation to everybody who supported the toy run, paying particular tribute to the bikers who took the time to get involved. He further acknowledged Gerry Donnellan who allowing the bikers to take over the carpark of his store in Loughville and to Fitzpatrick’s in Kilmihill where the bikers had tehir pit stop.
He urged people to continue to support St Clare’s efforts to create the garden. A go fund me page has been set up to raise funds for the garden, with almost €3,000 raised so far.
Explaining the idea behind the garden, a spokesperson for the school said, “We intend to develop our sensory memory garden in a place where it can be seen from all the classroom windows at school so that we can still enjoy the views all year round.  We wish to fundraise for this memory sensory garden to keep the cherished memory of our dearly departed young people alive and to let their loved ones know that they are with us always.  This sensory memory garden will be of enormous benefit for those wishing to be near their loved ones, help them find acceptance, peace and tranquility and it will also serve to give fantastic support and educational benefit to our other learners.”
Donations can be made to the go fund me page at https://gf.me/u/za25ck