No1 Fitness helps KWWSPCA

Members of No1 Fitness have raised €6,200 for the Kildare and West Wicklow SPCA, writes Brian Byrne. The money was handed over during a recent visit to the charity's shelter in Athgarvan.

The funding was raised through a 24-hour cycling marathon at Mondello Park, supported by sponsors GBS, Kilcullen Dental, Murphy Geospatial, Phase Electrical, Refillz Naas, Scott Engineering, Andrews Brothers, Husse Dog Food and Las Radas.

The club has expressed special thanks to Jim Scott, Cólleen Devin, and Maria Fitzpatrick for their outstanding work in organising this event, and to the 24-hour support team — Biggie, Sandra, and Zosia.

"We’re proud to support the KWWSPCA and the essential work they do to protect and care for animals in our community," a spokesperson for No1 Fitness said.

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Wednesday deadline for GAA Car Draw tickets

The deadline for buying tickets for the 2023 Kilcullen GAA (Kildare Co-op) Car Draw is this Wednesday 12 July.

This is one of the main Field of Dreams fundraisers with 100pc of profits going towards the development — so please get behind the future of the club and support the draw.

There will be four draws in total across July and August with 16 prizes in each draw. The top prize within each draw is a car! Or €12,000.

Last year Kilcullen had a top prize winner and cash prize winners across all draws.

Tickets cost €100 for entry to the four draws. You can pay in instalments of €25. Contact Debbie on 0872317181

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CPC parents fundraiser

A Bag2School fundraising clothes collection is being organised by the CPC Parents Association for Saturday 15 April and Saturday 27 May.

Proceeds of the events will go to CPC and the LauraLynn Foundation.

Clothing, paired shoes, clean soft toys and handbags will be gratefully accepted between 10am and 4pm on the days, at the back steps of CPC.

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Jack & Jill needs help

In a matter of weeks, fundraising at the Jack & Jill Children's Foundation has been devastated by Covid19, closing the Foundation's nine charity shops and cancelling most of its fundraising events.

The financial outlook is bleak, with Jack & Jill now facing a massive shortfall of €500,000, while the 340 children and families under its care continue to rely on the support of the charity now more than ever.

The children Jack & Jill looks after are very vulnerable; children from birth to five years of age with highly complex and life-threatening medical conditions being cared for at home. Children like Leo Johnston, whose mum Joan says, “Within two or three days of being referred, our liaison nurse was in our home listening to us and telling us 'We can help you'. They have been the most supportive group of people. They have been lifesavers”.

Throughout this crisis, Jack & Jill's specialist home nursing and end-of-life care continues, with many families still in receipt of home visits from their regular nurse or carer. For the remainder, who have been self-isolating for some time, the nursing team provides phone and video support to help parent carers keep their sick child safe and well cared for at home, where they belong.

With the help of Jack & Jill founder Jonathan Irwin, who himself is cocooning at home, the charity is urging the public to donate €4 by texting the words 'We Care' to 50300 or to give what they can through www.jackandjill.ie. Every €16 donated provides a family with one hour of home nursing support from the Jack & Jill team.

Commenting on the crisis, Jonathan Irwin said: "All of a sudden the rug has been pulled from underneath our fundraising feet, with everything cancelled because of Covid-19. One thing we're not short of at Jack & Jill is resilience, spurred on by the families we support and their surrounding community. We need support from the community and we believe we will get it, because people understand the lifeline that is Jack & Jill and our reach across the country. I would appeal to everyone who can to dig deep and help us out at this challenging time. Our service must and will prevail. Thank you."

WECARE to 50300 text costs €4. Jack & Jill will receive a minimum of €3.60. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline 076 6805278.

Beat the Virus: Stay At Home. 

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Countdown to GAA Lip-Sync Challenge

The countdown to this Sunday's big GAA Lip-Sync Challenge is reaching fever pitch, to the point where practice dancing has almost spilled over into the street, writes Brian Byrne.

Our big picture shows just how many are involved, with ten teams competing drawn from within the GAA Club and across other areas of the community.

Tickets for the event in Killashee House Hotel are still available, at €25 each, and are selling well. It is expected to be a sold-out gig, so if you want to get in for the acts, contact Debbie O’Brien soonest on 087 2317181.

There will be a DJ and late bar after the show, by which time everyone will be in great form and the craic should be great.

Below are a few shots from rehearsals, but they don't show anything like the level of performance you can expect on the night.