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Padraig Monsoon supported by his son Eoin rowing for Alexis.

'Old dog for the hard road' Ger Sweeney rowing for Alexis.

Colm O Súilleabháin, Flesk Valley Treasurer and underage coach rowing for Alexis.

Peter O'Sullivan, Flesk Valley, Rowing for Alexis.

Michael O'Sullivan, Flesk Valley Rowing for Alexis.

adhg Kelly, Flesk Valley Senior Coach and Rowing for Alexis organiser, pictured with Cuán and Carolena.

Donal Kelly Flesk Valley Rowing for Alexis organiser and underage coach.

Tom McGillicuddy having completed the 21km row for Alexis.

Conor O'Callaghan Flesk Valley showing his support for Alexis having completed the 21km row.

Mike Fleming Flesk Valley having completed the 21km row for Alexis.

Pat O'Sullivan Flesk Valley having completed a 21km row for Alexis.

'Row row row your boat, quickly in your room' Alan O'Sullivan Flesk Valley supporting the fundraiser for Alexis.

Paul Burke, part of Flesk Valley's Cork contingent rowing 21km for Alexis.

Neil Horgan Flesk Valley Committee Member and Underage Coach Rowing for Alexis

Timmy O'Donoghue and his wife Nicola having completed 21k row for Alexis.

By Michelle Crean

The people of Killarney and surrounds stepped up and showed their sheer generosity last Friday by donating a whopping €5,900 to help a local little girl. In what was a unique first for Flesk Valley Rowing Club, the senior men each rowed a virtual half-marathon on rowing machines together on Zoom and livestreamed on Facebook for a total of more than 300km for their ‘Rowing 300km for Alexis’ fundraiser.

Originally they had set a target of €2,000 and had managed to raise €1,800 before the event had even begun. However, after going live on Facebook during the event more came flooding in.

[caption id="attachment_36911" align="alignleft" width="258"] Neil Horgan Flesk Valley Committee Member and Underage Coach Rowing for Alexis[/caption]

"The club would like to sincerely thank everyone who donated so generously to our ‘Rowing 300km for Alexis’ event last weekend in aid of the Alexis O’Mahony fund," Karol Kelly told the Killarney Advertiser.

"The event proved a great success. This money will be used by the ‘Let’s Help Alexis’ fund to purchase a physio bench for Alexis and support her ongoing physiotherapy needs. Thanks to Steve, Teresa and Alexis O’Mahony and everyone involved in the 'Let's Help Alexis' committee for your encouragement and assistance."

The lads have been training together online twice a week since before Christmas and decided to target an Easter half-marathon to bring focus to their training and to raise money for a very worthy local cause.

"Many thanks to senior coach Tadhg Kelly, the club committee and all those who helped in any way to organise and support the event. Finally, thanks to the 16 lads who allowed us into their homes, gardens and sheds to watch them row and suffer; although it wasn’t supposed to be a race, we all know ‘everything is a race’!"

Check out the Flesk Valley Rowing Club Facebook and Instagram pages to see pictures and video of the event. The GoFundMe page 'Rowing 300km for Alexis' remains open for the rest of the week if anyone would still like to donate. For more about Alexis see Facebook: Lets Help Alexis.

[caption id="attachment_36910" align="alignleft" width="395"] Paul Burke, part of Flesk Valley's Cork contingent rowing 21km for Alexis.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36909" align="alignleft" width="452"] 'Row row row your boat, quickly in your room' Alan O'Sullivan Flesk Valley supporting the fundraiser for Alexis.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36908" align="alignleft" width="335"] Pat O'Sullivan Flesk Valley having completed a 21km row for Alexis.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36907" align="alignleft" width="394"] Mike Fleming Flesk Valley having completed the 21km row for Alexis.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36905" align="alignleft" width="639"] Tom McGillicuddy having completed the 21km row for Alexis.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36940" align="alignleft" width="262"] Timmy O'Donoghue and his wife Nicola having completed 21k row for Alexis.    [/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36901" align="alignleft" width="207"] Tadhg Kelly, Flesk Valley Senior Coach and Rowing for Alexis organiser, pictured with Cuán and Carolena.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36900" align="alignleft" width="469"] Michael O'Sullivan, Flesk Valley Rowing for Alexis.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36899" align="alignleft" width="375"] Peter O'Sullivan, Flesk Valley, Rowing for Alexis.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36898" align="alignleft" width="359"] Colm O Súilleabháin, Flesk Valley Treasurer and underage coach rowing for Alexis. [/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36897" align="alignleft" width="375"] 'Old dog for the hard road' Ger Sweeney rowing for Alexis.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36896" align="alignleft" width="432"] Padraig Monsoon supported by his son Eoin rowing for Alexis. [/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36902" align="alignleft" width="323"] Donal Kelly Flesk Valley Rowing for Alexis organiser and underage coach. [/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36906" align="alignleft" width="430"] Conor O'Callaghan Flesk Valley showing his support for Alexis having completed the 21km row.[/caption]