Ceilí dancers raise funds for charity

Christy Lehane, Chairman, Friends of the Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone, receives the cheque from Elizabeth (left) and Peggy Kelliher

A CHARITY ceilí to raise funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association generated a cool €600 to help finance specialist equipment and gain access to a specialist nurse to allow patients to stay at home with their families for as long as possible.

The ceilí, held in An Riocht in Castleislad, was organised by local man TJ Nelligan with great support from Elizabeth Kelliher, Kilgarvan, who lost a brother to Motor Neurone.

“This was amazing day with a fantastic turnout of dancers from all over. TJ was seen at every ceilí in the Munster region advertising the event,” said Elizabeth.

“There are no words to express how much it meant to see everybody there and we hope they all enjoyed the day and a huge thank you to everybody that helped out, including those that helped with the tea and made sure everyone got fed,” she sadded.

“Most of all, a huge thank you to Ui Bhriain, John and Martina, who played exceptional music and created a fantastic atmosphere

The proceeds were presented Elizabeth and Peggy Kelleher to Killarney-based Christy Lehane, Chairman of Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone and ambassador of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association at a reception in the Heights Hotel, Killarney.

Christy said the provision of the specialist equipment and access to a Motor Neurone nurse plays a vital role in improving quality of life and it enables people to live as active independent citizens within their community.

“It helps to remain at home with their families for as long as possible There are currently over 360 people living with MND in Ireland 12 of which are from Kerry,” he said.

“One of the main services that these clients and their families rely on is Munster MND nurse  The IMNDA were only able to fund a nurse for Munster thanks to donations from the Ice Bucket Challenge but this funding ran out in April 2017 which is why fundraising such as this is so pivotal,” Christy added.

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