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By Michelle Crean

A whopping €10,000 was donated to Down Syndrome Kerry this week following a coffee morning in Killarney town earlier this month.

Almost €5,000 was raised in just a matter of hours in Lír Café at Kenmare Place as part of their annual fundraising drive alongside Monex Financial Services.

On March 7, Down Syndrome Kerry was the chosen charity and locals and visitors to the town generously emptied their pockets and wallets for the well-deserved charity.

The amount was then matched by Monex owner Frank Murphy who has teamed up with Lír Café for the past number of years.

“We’re completely blown away," Madeleine Doyle, PRO with Down Syndrome Kerry, told the Killarney Advertiser.

“It’s incredible to make that amount of money in four hours. We’re very grateful.”

Alan Oliver, Manager Lír Café said 350 people came through the door on the day and everything was “gratis” to the customers. They in turn dug deep to help the charity which, receives no Government funding.

“We raised almost €5,000 on the day and Frank marched it. 350 people came in and were very generous. Staff Gillian Doody and Joan Cronin played a blinder on the day.”

Frank  Murphy added that it is the third year of their fundraising efforts.

“We do this every year for the last three years and Down Syndrome Kerry was the chosen charity this year. This is by far the most we have raised.”