Stella Maris Hope Cup/Row 2014

Pictured, left to right: Anne O’Connor, Marie Peelo (Pieta House), Bill Healy, Antoinette O’Neill, David Cuff and Paul O’Neill.

Pictured, left to right: Anne O’Connor, Marie Peelo (Pieta House), Bill Healy, Antoinette O’Neill, David Cuff and Paul O’Neill.

Stella Maris Rowing Club completed its annual Hope Cup/Row at the tail end of 2014. The event is organised by Stella Maris on an annual basis with each year’s profits benefitting a particular charity.

The 2014 charity was Pieta House, as voted by the clubs of the East Coast, and the money was generated for awareness of and prevention of suicide and self-harm.

The club’s members are keen to convey their thanks to all of the clubs and sponsors involved, without whose participation the event would not have been a success; Arklow, Bray RC, Dalkey RC, Dun Laoghaire RC, Eastwall RC, Skerries RC, Wicklow and neighbours St Patrick’s, who also provided safety boats and skiffs on the day.

David Doyle, Secretary for Stella Maris, gave special mention to Sharon Bolger, Elaine Cummins and Jennifer Cummins, who ensured that all of those taking part on the day were well fed! A shout-out was also made to all 32 runners who completed their 12km run of Irishtown Nature Park, and also to St John’s Ambulance and Irishtown Gardaí, who were on standby to ensure the safety of all participants.

Winners of the various races and events on the day were U18 Ladies: Stella Maris; U18 Men: Stella Maris; Novice: Stella Maris; Vets: Eastwall RC; Short ladies race: Stella Maris; Short race ladies Novice: St Patrick’s; Mixed Race: Dalkey RC; Long Vets Race: Arklow; Long Ladies Race: Dalkey RC; and Men’s: St Patrick’s (Winners of the Hope Cup 2014). Pamela Chester was the winner of the ladies’ running race with the men’s race split between Danny Gregg and Joe Healy.

The final total raised was €5,698 with a cheque for €250 included on top of the €5,448 shown in the featured photograph. David Doyle wished to express his and the club’s thanks to everyone involved on the day, including staff, members and sponsors.

“Many thanks to Dyno Rod, Irishtown House and The Dublin Port Authority who were all brilliant,” Doyle said. “The Poolbeg Yacht club for opening their premises to all the competitors, and all the members of the Stella Maris for all their hard work in getting the event up and running, and their hard work on the day.”

All proceeds from the Hope Cup/Row go to Pieta House to combat suicide and self-harm. The non-profit organisation currently has a staff of 170 with a demand for services always on the increase, with nearly 4,000 people requesting assistance from Pieta House in 2013 alone.

The illness itself has affected clubs and communities across the country with devastating consequences. Marie Peelo of Pieta House has stated that approximately €1,000 can save a life, which makes the contributions of Stella Maris Rowing Club’s Hope Cup/Run all the more significant.

By Craig Kinsella