Locals raise money for three deserving charities during Covid

By Kathrin Kobus

Charity begins at home, and calls for charitable causes mushroomed during the past days, weeks and months. Many clubs all over the country from all sports settled for activities under walk, run, cycle for a cause. Clanna Gael Fontenoy went “global” to engage its members in getting back to fitness levels for competitions once more. Run, cycle or walk around safely within allowed parameters and donate for three charities in Dublin 4 and Dublin 2. Members from all their teams took part to raise money for Enable Ireland, the Iris Charles Centre and The Lighthouse. On a lighter note, it was also a chance to reconnect with former members, players or coaches now living and working in other parts of the world. The covered distances were added up and this way CGF circumvented the globe in only a fraction of the 90 days Phileas Fogg once needed. At the official cut off time on the 21st June 70,500 kilometres were logged and €20,000 raised. The main man behind the initiative was Anthony (Tony) Murphy, juvenile co-ordinator and coach at the club. No surprise that Declan Darcy got Jim Gavin to record a clip, but Ben Dunne also had a few words of encouragement for Clann teams to go for a ride or run.It helped that non-contact training had started again in Sean Moore and Ringsend Park, so a group of 12 or 15, twice or thrice around the pitch as warm up or cool down exercise brought up the kilometres count. A month after the event, the final tally had been divided up. Enable Ireland received a little over €11,000 because of the size and range of support it provides for its service users. As Frankie Barrett, Director of Services, Enable Ireland said on the day, “The money will pay to get the pool done up. We hope to return with our services in September. The work on the pool will start right away, next Monday (20th July).” The other 40% of the raised money was shared equally between the Iris Charles Centre and The Lighthouse. The Iris Charles Centre also hopes for a return of their services as well when it is deemed safe to do so. The bridge players might for the time being continue online, but that does not quite replace the joy of real social interaction. Phyllis Ennis and Claire McElvaney received the cheque of over €3,700. And finally, at The Lighthouse in Pearse Street CEO Joe Murphy explained during a quick tour of the premises that since the lockdown came in, demands on the centre have nearly quadrupled. Pre-Covid around 100 to 120 users availed of services, that went up to around 350-400 people, seven days a week. Donations are always welcome. The symbolic cheques were handed over, and that chapter of the fundraiser is closed. However, it might not be the end of the story, as future possibilities of helping the charities in other ways will be explored. Well done to all concerned for raising so much money for three excellent causes that the community benefits from.