PRESS RELEASE
Rallying together to raise funds for a great cause
Birr & District Motor Club Raise €45,903.53 for Laois Alzheimer’s Society
The Laois Alzheimer Society of Ireland has paid tribute, today (9 April 2011), to the Birr & District Motor Club for rallying together to raise much needed funds for local Alzheimer’s services. At a reception in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, attended by members of the club and hotel owner Jenny Kent, a cheque for almost €46,000 was presented to the local charity, which is based in Portlaoise.
Accepting the generous donation on behalf of local carers, Kate Brennan regional manager, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland stressed the money is much needed and would be put to good use. “Estimates suggest that close to 500 people in Laois have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Many don’t have the support services they desperately need. This money raised will go towards providing an extra 50 hours of specialist home care to 10 families on our waiting lists and to providing weekend breaks away for family carers in need of respite from their caring role,” said Brennan.
Fundraising by The Birr & District Motor Club kicked off at its annual Car Rally, which took place in The Abbeyleix Manor Hotel on the 27th February last and has continued over recent weeks. The annual rally was hugely successful, attracting a capacity entry of 160 cars and crews. The route took in stages in the Rathdowney & Ballacolla areas, with servicing taking place in the retail outlet in Rathdowney. A special word of gratitude is expressed from the Clerk of the Course Bill Ryan to all the residents along the rally route for their assistance & patience.
Durrow driver, Oliver Stanley enjoyed the services of ‘professional co-driver’ Jenny Kent who completed the rally for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. “Jenny did a superb job in the Hot Seat” said Stanley adding “she
helped me hugely en route but she also has helped Alzheimer’s carers in the area by her involvement in these fundraising initiatives.”
In conjunction with the rally, a major fund raising programme was initiated including sponsored shaves, waxing, collections, auctions, table quiz & cookery ware demonstration. The table quiz was held in Castletown and was organised by Marie Ryan whilst Sandra Stanley and Hilda Bailey were the co-ordinator’s of the cookery ware demonstration which took place the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel.
The Birr & District Motor Club would like to thank all those who contributed to this special fund raising project & those who sold sponsorship cards. In addition a special word of thanks must go to the organising committee that consisted of Bill Ryan, Pat Horan, Oliver Stanley, Jenny Kent along with two very special friends who helped us out along the way RTE Sports Presenter Michael Lyster & 5 time Irish Tarmac Rally Championship Winner Eugene Donnelly.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is the leading provider of dementia-specific services nationally with a network 0f 115 services in communities throughout Ireland. In Laois, the charity offers dementia-specific home care, a monthly support group for family carers and information from its offices in Old Parochial House, Dublin Road.
Further details from Kate Brennan (Regional Manager, Laois Alzheimer Society of Ireland )@ 086 381 1850
