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Communities unite to help sick baby

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KINDNESS: Members of the Polish community living in Killarney are helping to raise funds for a little Polish baby who needs to undergo treatment costing over €2m. Pictured were: Aron Gorka, Diana Sobas Gorka, Liliana Gorka, Gosia and Max Usiarczyk, Adam Zakrzewski, and Alan Dineen owner of Formally Yours. Photo: Michelle Crean

 

By Michelle Crean

Polish and Irish communities in Killarney have come together to help raise funds towards the €2m cost of treatment for a very sick little baby.

Polish native Gosia Usiarczyk called on the local business community to donate what they could to help fund medical treatment for 15-month-old Franio Marcinkowski, who was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type I and now faces a battle between life and death.

However, Polish locals in Killarney rallied when they heard of the baby’s plight and have since roped in the help of others.

Diana Sobas Gorka and Gosia set about asking local Polish and Irish businesses for help with local collections and setting up an auction to raise funds.

“I come from where the family live in Poland and when I saw it on Facebook I felt I wanted to do something,” Gosia told the Killarney Advertiser.

“I have children, Max (9) and Maja who is seven-months-old and as she’s close in age with Franio, I felt I needed to help in some way. There are groups in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. Diana created an Irish group and when I heard about her we decided to act together.”

She added that they know time fundraising is limited as treatment has to be given before age two.

“Every day our group is growing, not only Polish but also local people have joined. Now we have a few local businesses that helps us. We have Buddies Killarney, Bowling Buddies in Tralee, West Hotel in Bantry, Malgorzata Milczek Photography, Unique Hair by Katarzyna Bartczak, polish shop Pewex, Porterhouse, Chocolate Hair Salon, Formally Yours, BEBeauty by Aga Kuc.”

Anyone looking donate can do so by joining the FB group: ‘Auctions for Franio Marcinkowski’.

 

 

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All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

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It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

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The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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