Killarney Racecourse named new Team Hope checking centre

Killarney Racecourse will serve as the new local checking centre for the annual Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal, as organisers call on the community to drop off donations ahead of the November 10 deadline.

The national campaign collects gift-filled shoeboxes for vulnerable children across Africa and Eastern Europe, where the donation is often the only present a child receives at Christmas.
Local residents can participate by wrapping an empty shoebox in Christmas paper and filling it with items across four categories: hygiene products, school supplies, small items of clothing, and special gifts or toys. Ready-to-fill boxes are also available through campaign partner Mr Price.
Volunteers are also seeking donations of loose filler items to help complete boxes that arrive underfilled, as well as monetary contributions.
Killarney branch coordinator Sheila Rice highlighted that the drop-off window is now open, with local schools and collection points active across the region.
“People who wish to help can fill a box, make a financial donation, or provide individual filler items like clothes, toys, and school supplies that fit into a shoebox,” Rice said. “Boxes can be handed in at drop-off centres across town or brought directly to our checking centre at Killarney Racecourse up to November 10.”
The local branch is actively seeking volunteers to assist at the Racecourse processing site, as well as a new team leader to support the coordination of the Killarney campaign.
Further information, local drop-off points, or details on volunteering are available at teamhope.ie or by contacting Sheila Rice directly on 087-7932482.

Ciara Forde earns 26th black belt for Judo Club

Ciara Forde became the 26th member of Killarney Judo Club to achieve black belt status following a successful performance on Sunday, September 27.

Forde spent the past year travelling to events across Ireland and the UK to secure the competitive points required for the grade. Needing three victories on the day, she completed the line-up by defeating an opponent who had beaten her in a previous bout.
The achievement marks a family milestone, with Forde joining her father Aidan and older sister Kate as black belt holders at the Killarney club.
“It’s a great reflection of her consistency and hard work this year,” coach Tim Kelly said. “Ciara has also been a mentor to many of the young girls through coaching, and hopefully she will inspire more to achieve their black belts in the years to come.”
Club members Patrik Polubnak and James Maher, both aged 16, also advanced their black belt gradings on the day. Each fighter reached 30 points, with Polubnak securing three submission victories and Maher earning two wins.
Conor Sowerby and Shaun Hester both attained their blue belts. Sowerby, who began his judo training in Killarney, now competes with UCD, while Hester recently joined the local club’s juvenile coaching team.
The club is now preparing for upcoming fixtures, with senior members traveling to the Leinster Open in Dublin and junior members competing at the Munster Mini Mon in Limerick.
Further details are available by contacting Tim Kelly on 086-2601591 or visiting killarneyjudo.com.