A total of €40,000 was handed over to cancer charity Recovery Haven following Kerry Motor Club’s Déjà Vu event in May.

Déjà Vu Tralee was the flagship event in Kerry Motor Club’s year-long 50th-anniversary celebration.

The event attracted star names like Craig Breen, Kris Meeke and Killarney’s World Rally Championship star Paul Nagle.

It was a joint effort between Déjà Vu Motorsport and the Tralee-based club and the first time that both organisations worked together.

Over 150 cars, many of them rarely seen period rally cars, took part in a tour of classic West Kerry rally stages on May 28.

As well as celebrating the local club’s milestone anniversary it was also a fundraiser for Recovery Haven.

A gala dinner dance at the event’s headquarters, The Rose Hotel, and other associated fundraisers netted a total of €25,000 for the local charity.

“On behalf of everyone at Recovery Haven Kerry, I would like to say the most heartfelt thank you to everyone who made Déjà Vu Tralee the most unforgettable weekend ever.

"We would like to thank the organisers, Beaty Crawford, Alan Tyndall and their extraordinary team at Déjà Vu for the most amazing opportunity to be part of something so special.

"Add to that, the overwhelming support and enthusiasm from the competitors, the public, and all at Kerry Motor Club, Tralee Chamber Alliance, The Rose Hotel, Paul Nagle and all who attended and supported the auction – we are indebted to you all,” said Marisa Reidy, PR and Marketing Officer, Recovery Haven Kerry.

“Déjà Vu Tralee will go down as one of the most exciting, fun and memorable weekends we have ever experienced, and we are truly humbled to receive an incredible €40,000 from the event. We will cherish the memories forever.”

Nagle came up with a one-off idea that raised funds for both Recovery Haven in Tralee and Fossa GAA club in Killarney.

The helmet that he used during the 2021 WRC season was signed by 21 of the sport’s biggest names including multiple World Rally Champions Sebastien Ogier and Sebastien Loeb.

An auction for the helmet, during the gala dinner dance netted, a staggering €25,000, of which €15,000 was donated to the cancer charity and a further €10,000 will be given to Nagle’s home GAA club of Fossa during its ‘Night with Legends’ on Tuesday this week.

“I am delighted to be associated with Recovery Haven, every household is affected by cancer,” said Nagle who took time out of his busy WRC schedule to participate in the event.

“I am very privileged to do what I do as a co-driver in the World Rally Championship, and it is great to be able to give something back. Well done to Kerry Motor Club and Déjà Vu motorsport for organising such a great event and it was great to be a part of it.”