Community spirit par for the course in Raharney
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Shay and Kathleen Murtagh presented a cheque for €5,500 to Mary Cully, John Gaffney, Tricia McGrath and Maura Drumm from Delvin Hospice Care. Thomas GibbonsImage 2 of 9
Bernie McHugh from LARCC collected the cheque for €5,500 from Shay and Kathleen Murtagh.. Thomas GibbonsImage 3 of 9
Eddie King and Cllr Niall Gaffney in Raharney. Thomas GibbonsImage 4 of 9
Cllr David Jones and John Donoghue at The Third Place. Thomas GibbonsImage 5 of 9
Phil Melligan and Mary Fox from Delvin. Thomas GibbonsImage 6 of 9
Sandra Mitchell from Clonkill and Anne O’Shaughnessy from Gigginstown. Thomas GibbonsImage 7 of 9
Kay Gaffney and Teresa Feery at the presentation. Thomas GibbonsImage 8 of 9
Breda McHugh and Barney Ivory in Raharney. Thomas GibbonsImage 9 of 9
Kathleen Gilroy and Maeve Murphy (Delvin) on Tuesday of last week. Thomas GibbonsDelvin Hospice Homecare and LARCC in Multyfarnham were the beneficiaries of the classic held at Shay Murtagh’s golf course in September, and the funds were handed over on Tuesday October 14 last at a function in the Third Place, Raharney.
Breda McHugh is one of the organisers and at the event, she told the Westmeath Examiner that the funds are divided equally, and this year the sum was €11,000, which “makes it €41,000 we’ve raised in the last four years”, she said.
Last year there were 140 players, and this year 175. “We just seem to be getting a bit better every year,” said Breda.
“It’s all thanks to Shay and Kathleen (Murtagh) – and thank-you also to everybody that took part on the day, to all our sponsors, people who donated prizes for the raffle, people who sold tickets, the people who bought tickets, the hospice ladies for all the help they gave on the day.
“The course was in great order on the day, and that’s down to Ned Fox, who did a fantastic job, as usual, and had everything ready for us – longest drive, nearest the pin and all the rest of the extras. We were very busy all day, the first people were out at 9 o’clock and it was all day non-stop until 4 o’clock that evening.”
Cllr David Jones, who was present at the handover of the funds, said: “This year’s event was run brilliantly, as usual. I participated, I lost 10 balls! But it was all a bit of craic. It’s all about taking part and there’s a great sense of community once you come here to Raharney.
“Breda does a job every year, with Kathleen and Shay – it’s a huge amount of money raised for North Westmeath Hospice and LARCC, two brilliant causes. I’ve seen first hand the work they do, and it’s fantastic. I’ve also been involved in a number of fundraising committees for both, and the work they do can never be underestimated.”
Cllr Niall Gaffney was also present: “It’s absolutely a fantastic evening here, and to see €11,000 raised for two amazing community charities, €5,500 each, purely raised from volunteer efforts, community efforts, and to be culminating in a night like tonight, when so many people get to meet up. As we’re coming into the darker nights, it’s lovely, it gives everyone a bit of a lift. We all know the positive message we’re here for, and to get to see the real impact that this makes to people, whether it’s families and people undergoing cancer treatment, to know the supports that are there for them, and to know that it’s completely community invested, all focusing on helping each other out – I think it’s a lovely message.”