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Over £5,000 was raised for Hooves4Hospice in the Christmas Draw organised by Stephanie, David and the Connor family.

 

The Prizes were 17 Christmas Hampers made up through the generosity of business associates and friends.

 

The raffle took place prior to Christmas. Members of Hooves4Hospice in attendance were Pat Minnock, Gerry Fagan and Dymphna Bracken.

 

Pat Minnock on behalf of H4H thanked everybody associated with the draw, those who bought tickets, sponsored prizes and in particular the Connor family for their support and generosity.

 

The winners were:

  1. Ronan Swords, Croghan;
  2. Paul Flynn, Mullingar;
  3. Mark Coyne, Teagasc;
  4. Ann Rabbitte Clara;
  5. Sean Minnock, Clara;
  6. Ross Tighe, Rathcofffey
  7. Mary Doolan, Kilmucklin;
  8. Patrick Kavanagh, Tullamore;
  9. Derrick Reid, Rathcoffey;
  10. Dominic Daly, Durrow;
  11. Pat Brazil, Killeigh
  12. Thomas Meagher Robertstown,
  13. Mark Grimes, Kildare ,
  14. Declan Cullen, Rathcoffey
  15. Declan Bracken Wood of O
  16. Sinead Bracken Newtown Kilbeggan
  17. Kay Kilgallon, Rathcoffey.

Caption

 

Pictured at the Draw; Dymphna Bracken H4H; David and Stephanie Connor, Pat Minnock, H4H and Gerry Fagan, H4H.

The goodness and generosity of young people was amply demonstrated at the sale of a very fine Hereford bullock at the GVM Mart in Tullamore on the 13th. January. The animal was bought, reared and sold by twins Trasa and Sinead Bracken, daughters of Colm and Eileen Bracken of Durrow, Co. Offaly. The twins are Transition Year students at Mercy Secondary School in Kilbeggan as well as being talented young farmers judging by the fine animal they donated to the Hooves 4 Hospice fundraising project that sold for €1,340. Asked why they decided to get involved in the Hooves 4 Hospice project, they answered as one saying, “its such a great cause and it was something different to do”. Their answer to the question about what they would like to do after secondary school didn’t come as any surprise when they again answered as one in saying “something to do with farming”. In the immediate future though, their plans are very clear; they’re going to rear another animal for Hooves 4 Hospice. 

Early in 2021, Offaly Senior Footballer Bernard Allen represented Tubber GAA Club in the ‘Walk for Club and County’ fundraiser organised by Offaly GAA. The donations received were to be split 50/50 between the Club and the County. Tubber GAA Club decided to donate their share of the funds raised to ‘Hooves 4 Hospice’, the Midland Hospice Building Project, in the memory of the late Betty Moran. Betty passed away in May 2020, while the whole country was in lockdown under the severe restrictions imposed due to the onset of Covid-19. Betty had been the life and soul of the Tubber community for decades, especially her beloved Tubber GAA Club of which she was Life President, and it was with great regret that it was not possible to give her the send-off she deserved due to the restrictions at that time. In honour of Betty, Tubber GAA Club were delighted to be able to donate €2,000 to ‘Hooves 4 Hospice’ earlier this year. Thank-you to Bernard for representing the Club for the fundraiser, and thanks to all who contributed to this very worthwhile cause. At a presentation to ‘Hooves 4 Hospice’ in the clubhouse, Betty was represented by her daughters Liz and Margaret.

 

Top Picture  from L-R: Pat Minnock of ‘Hooves 4 Hospice’, Paddy Sheridan, Liz Moran, Margaret Macken, Larry Fleming of ‘Hooves 4 Hospice’, Joe Higgins, Chairman Tubber GAA Club.

 

Picture Belowt: Betty Moran RIP

Thanks to Edenderry Lions Club member Matt Merrick who reared and donated two heifers weighing 530kgs each and sold for €1,240 each.  A number of animals to date were reared locally, donated and sold for this very worthy fundraiser campaign.  Thanks to the farmers pictured who reared and supplied animals and to the buyers and especially Edenderry Livestock Mart for facilitating the sales.

Pictured: Andy Maloney (Farmer), Billy Byrne (Edenderry Livestock Mart), Brian O Sullivan Lions Club Deirdre Feely Lions Club, Patsy Evans (Farmer & member of Offaly IFA), Matt Merrick (Farmer & Lions Club), Brian Rush (Deputy President IFA), Ger Lawlor President Lions Club, Fiachra Scally Lions Club, and Michael Manley (Farmer)