Noel hailed a hero for fundraising

A SEVENTY NINE-YEAR-OLD Raheny golfer is being hailed a hero after raising more than €85,000 over the past nine years for St Michael’s House through an annual golf classic.

The St Michael’s House classic at Donabate Golf Club is organised by Noel Hughes from Grange Park, whose son Kevin is a resident of St Michael’s House.

A total of 198 golfers and friends of the charity teed off in 50 teams to support the eighth annual event, resulting in over €15,000 being collected for the charity – up €3,000 on last year’s figure.

Noel originally held his first two classics to raise funds towards buying a minibus for Kevin’s St Michael’s House workplace at Castle Day Service.

“The response was so great that we made the day an annual fixture, with all proceeds being split between Kevin’s residential home at Sallowood, Santry Avenue, and Castle Day Service in Coolock Industrial Estate,” said Noel.

“Between them, these units provide services to nearly 60 adult service users with intellectual disabilities directly.

“We, and many other families like us, are indebted to St Michael’s House for the work that they do.

“Thanks to the support of his care workers, Kevin and his friends have the confidence and skills to perform many tasks that enrich their lives.

“I’d like to thank Kevin’s care workers, and all of our friends and club colleagues who support the classic.

“Through the generous donations of the golfers who play in this classic year after year, we have been able to help with much-needed renovations to the physical structure at Castle Industries, where a new computer room and sensory room have been opened as a result.”

St Michael’s House provides a range of services to 1,663 children and adults with an intellectual disability in over 170 centres in the Greater Dublin Area and Navan in County Meath.

Jackie McDonnell, from the St Michael’s House Fundraising Department, praised Mr Hughes for the work that he has done over the years.

“Noel is a real hero,” McDonnell told Northside People. 

“Every year he works tirelessly, and enthusiastically to raise funds for our services – always with a special welcome for everyone and a smile on his face.

“Every euro raised by Noel and his friends and family over the years has directly benefitted service users such as his son Kevin and his friends.

“We at St Michael’s House will be forever grateful to him for his energy, enthusiasm and genuine interest in helping our staff and the services that they provide.”

Pat Brennan, Tom Brennan, Mick O’Brien and Tom Sharkey won the golf classic with a total of 99 points. 

In second place on 95 points were Brian O’Hare, Joe Hogan, John McCaul and PJ Ryan.

The ladies' team prize went to Jean Anne Daly, Barbara Ferguson, Adrienne Gallagher and Claire Dillon-Smith with 77 points.