Raheny man is hailed a hero for fundraising efforts

AN 80-year-old local man is being hailed a hero after raising more than €100,000 over the past 10 years for St Michael’s House through an annual golf classic.

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

A total of 176 golfers and friends of the charity teed off in 44 teams to support the 10th annual event recently, resulting in over €16,000 being collected for the charity – up €1,000 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.”

The staff of Sallowood and Castle Day Service organised a special presentation to Noel and his wife Pauline in recognition of the way their work has enhanced lives in the two services.

Nora Dempsey from Castle Day Service spoke of the very tangible way that the fundraising has helped the services.

“Through Noel’s tireless work, and 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 Day Service, where a new computer room and sensory room have been opened as a result,” said Ms Dempsey.

“We have been able to buy a minibus and take our residents on much-needed breaks. None of these things would have been possible without Noel, and the generosity of the family that has grown up around the Sallowood and Castle communities.

“We are now hoping to add a coffee dock for the service users at Castle Day Service.”

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.

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

“Noel is a real hero,” said McDonnell. “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.”

Shay Dawson, Mick Williams, Liam Talbot and John Crowe, on 99 points, won the golf classic while Tom Sharkey, Pat Brennan, Paul Cunningham and Finbarr Hickey finished second with 95 points. Bridget Kealy, Patricia O’Brien, Anne Macken, Trish O’Neill, with 68 points, won the ladies’ prize.