Sem to host night at the dogs for South Africa trip

Students and teachers at St Brendan’s College are finalising preparations for a charity benefit night at Kingdom Greyhound Stadium in Tralee on Friday, September 25.

The event aims to raise essential funds for a group from the school travelling to South Africa with the Mellon Educate programme to assist in building educational infrastructure.
A full programme of family entertainment is planned, including novelty races pitting students against staff members, music, raffle draws, and best-dressed competitions for men and women.
A meet-and-greet session with Kerry senior footballers will run from 6.45pm to 7.30pm. Attending players include David Clifford, Paudie Clifford, Gavin White, Michael Burns, Evan Looney, Mark O’Shea, and Jason Foley.
An auction on the night features premium items including an overnight stay at Hayfield Manor and a four-ball golf package at Dromoland Castle Hotel.
Tickets cost €10 per person, while children under 12 enter free. Organisers stress that all tickets must be booked in advance via the school office or online QR codes, as no sales will take place at the turnstiles.

Local friendship inspires Wicklow charity challenge

A local friendship between a Polish native and a well-known community volunteer has inspired a fundraising effort for the Kerry branch of the Irish Kidney Association.

Kasia Kolodziej, who works in administration at Munster Joinery, is taking on the 7km Hell and Back obstacle course in Wicklow on Saturday, September 5.
Originally from Luban in Poland, Kolodziej settled in the town three years ago following spells in Killorglin and Castleisland. Upon arriving, she formed a close bond with long-standing local volunteer Theresa Looney, who has dedicated over four decades to supporting kidney patients across the county.
Looney originally helped establish the Kerry branch of the Irish Kidney Association after campaigning for local dialysis facilities to prevent patients travelling to Cork for treatment. She was also a founding member of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, which helped secure the dialysis unit at University Hospital Kerry, and continues to manage local self-catering holiday homes for visiting patients and their families.
Kolodziej has already raised over €1,700 online to support the upkeep of these holiday homes in Killarney and Tralee.
Speaking about the inspiration behind her challenge, Kolodziej praised the support she received from her friend when moving to the area. “When I moved to Killarney three years ago, Theresa took me under her wing,” she said. “She has a heart of gold and was very kind to me. And now I want to give something back.”
To prepare for the course, which involves mud, water, and steep climbing obstacles, Kolodziej has been training at Peak Performance Academy. She explained that while obstacle runs are a step outside her comfort zone, she is eager to tackle the course to raise vital funds and encourage local families to discuss organ donation.

Kasia’s online fundraising link will remain open until October 5, with donations welcome. To donate online visit www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/kasiakolodziej641
For more information on the work of the Irish Kidney Association and how to get an organ donor card, including a digital donor card that can be stored in a mobile phone wallet, visit www.ika.ie