VIDEO: Killucan Raharney sports clubs join forces to help local nursing homes

(Above) John Shaw (Raharney Hurling Club), John Duignan (Killucan GAA), Billy Gough (Raharney United AFC), Gemma Briody (Raharney Camogie Club), Louise Kelly (Killucan Ladies GFC) and Neil Fitzpatrick (East Westmeath Athletic Club).

A joint effort by the sports clubs around Killucan and Raharney in aid of the two local nursing homes gained such strong support that the organisers last week rocked up with two “big cheques” – not just in their physical size but in their value.

“Together, the clubs raised €3,900 apiece for the St Camillus Nursing Centre and Rose Lodge Nursing Home,” Cllr John Shaw of Raharney Hurling Club told the Westmeath Examiner at the handover on Friday.

“Both nursing homes have been a very important part of life in the Killucan Raharney area for many years and we are very grateful.

“In particular, they were very helpful during the Covid crisis, so both the GAA clubs and the soccer and athletics and camogie clubs wanted to give something back.

“We decided to come together for a fundraising event – and so what we did was we walked, ran or cycled approximately 3,000-4,000km over the June bank holiday weekend,” Cllr Shaw said.

“There was a great buy-in from all the community here, particularly the sporting organisations, and it was fantastic to be able to hand over €4,000 each to the St Camillus Centre and Rose Lodge.”

Orla McCormack, manager of Rose Lodge, accepting the donation for Rose Lodge, said the fund was greatly appreciated.

“We really do love what we’re doing – that’s why we are here; so well done to the staff and the residents: they all pulled together when the effort was needed,” said Orla.