Killarney Crafty Ladies have raised €29,052 for Kerry Hospice Foundation/Palliative Care by rescuing and restoring teddy bears from charity shops.

Formed in 2013, the group includes Betty Benson, Peg Coffey, Honor Doyle, Margaret McCarthy, Kate O’Connor, Brid O’Donoghue, Eilish O’Sullivan, and Colette Sorensen. Their idea was to collect teddy bears from shops in Kerry and further afield, including Cork, Limerick, and Galway, give them complete makeovers, and sell them at Halloween and Christmas events at the Killarney Outlet Centre.
The group met monthly to knit and sew new outfits for the toys.
“We are incredibly grateful to Paul Sherry, Noreen O’Sullivan and the staff at Killarney Outlet Centre for all their support,” said group spokesperson Margaret McCarthy. “We also want to thank Pat Doolan from Kerry Hospice for his guidance and help. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
Mr Doolan, Chairperson of the Killarney Branch of the Kerry Hospice Foundation, acknowledged the Crafty Ladies' contribution over the past 12 years.
“They’ve combined a fun hobby with serious fundraising. We wish them well with future efforts,” he said.