HANDOVER: Over €11k was handed over to the Irish Cancer Society raised through the generosity of locals. Pictured from l-r were: Jenny McCarthy, Eleanor O’Doherty, Seanie McCarthy, Katherina Breen, and Eugene O’Sullivan.

By Michelle Crean

A fundraiser in memory of a much loved local woman has raised a massive €11,638 for the Irish Cancer Society thanks to the generosity of locals.

Kay McCarthy sadly lost her battle with cancer four years ago and to mark what would have been her 60th birthday and anniversary, her daughter Jenny McCarthy and Jenny's sister-in-law Aoife Murphy set up a '3k for Kay' in April.

Participants were asked to donate via Just Giving.

And there was huge support, Jenny explained to the Killarney Advertiser.

"We started the fundraiser off at work, all the children and staff wore blue and our crèche, along with our sister crèche in Limerick, released a 6 and 0 balloon at 12pm in memory of mom, it was very emotional!" Jenny said.

"Over the week and at the weekend the donations started flooding in along with people sending pictures of them doing the '3k for Kay' walk. Some crèches got involved by holding mini fundraising days too. Myself, Shane and dad were blown away with the love and support of everyone."

She added that they had messages from friends and family sharing memories of Kay and how they were thinking of her.

"It was lovely to know that so many were thinking of her over the week. It is so difficult to lose someone to cancer, especially when she had such a long life ahead but it made it a little easier this year to see how loved she was and how many lives she touched! It is also amazing to think about the amount of families that the money will help in such a difficult time. The Irish Cancer Society were a lifeline to us on the darkest of days and gave us so much guidance, they really are an amazing organisation. We will be forever grateful."