By Michelle Crean

Next month will see a well-known Rathmore man hitting the local roads in a bid to clock up miles to help keep a life-saving service in the air.

Michael O'Mahony, better known to most as PRO for both the East Kerry GAA and Rathmore Community Council, is taking part in 60 Miles for Missions for the Irish Community Air Ambulance (ICAA), a service he says is invaluable to rural communities.

Michael himself was behind setting up a similar air ambulance many years ago with a group of Kerry people but unfortunately after talks with the then Minister for Health James Reilly, it never took off.

More recently he knew of local rescues and it reiterated the importance of the service across the country but more so in for Kerry.

"An air ambulance for Kerry is very important especially for rural areas where an ambulance can't get to," Michael told the Killarney Advertiser.

Relying completely on public donations, the ICRR was in danger of being grounded in more recent times.

"I think it's very important and the Government should be funding some part of the service. Funding is mainly down to the community."

The fundraiser Michael is taking on will include walking two to three miles a day to fulfil his 60 mile goal in September.

Since setting up his fundraising page on Facebook at the weekend he has already hit his €300 target. However, now he's hoping people will continuing donating whatever they can.

"If they haven't funding they can't run the air ambulance. It would be an awful loss to the community," Michael said. "All donations are greatly appreciated."