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Fundraising walk to help raise vital funds for Heidi

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WALK FOR HEIDI: Tara Donoghue Laing from Firies, has organised the 'Walk for Heidi' for vital physiotherapy for two-year-old Heidi Patterson. Pictured socially distanced are: Diana Ascenso, Dave, Cailean and Daithi Laing, Tara Donoghue Laing, Romy Birdthistle, Pearl Turner and Siobhan Colborne.

 

By Michelle Crean

Killarney is the planned finish line for a fundraiser which is currently ongoing to help raise funds for a sick little girl.

Photographer Tara Donoghue Laing from Firies, had no option but to cancel a planned March Mother's Day fundraiser for two-year-old Heidi Patterson due to the sudden COVID-19 lockdown.

However, she's since enlisted the help of four others and they're currently walking a total of 1,000km to raise funds to help Heidi, who suffers Cerebral Palsy is partially blind and deaf, get the physiotherapy she needs.

So far, over €2,000 has been raised of the €5,000 goal for the 'Walking 1000km for Heidi' challenge and they're hoping more will be raised.

Those involved include Tara, her husband Dave Laing, Diana Ascenso, Siobhan Colborne and Romy Birdthistle.

"We're walking a combined 1,000kms so it's roughly 200kms each," Tara told the Killarney Advertiser.

"We began on June 1 and we're doing it for 30 days individually. We're going to walk the finish line together in Killarney National Park, somewhere we can meet up and socially distance."

Others, when they heard about the fundraiser, wanted to join, Tara explained, but as there's only five of them she felt with more involved they'd have very little kilometres each to do to get to 1,000.

"They're now doing their own walks and raising funds too. We even have people in Australia, England, Scotland and all over Ireland taking part. We're hoping to raise funds for vital physiotherapy for Heidi. She can't crawl or walk. They're trying to build her muscles up to help her walk eventually. It's heartbreaking, and puts things in perspective. We are walking to raise funds to hopefully help her to walk."

 

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Eric Jenkinson wins camera club award with Dingle landscape

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Eric Jenkinson wins camera club award with Dingle landscape


The stunning landscapes of Kerry continue to inspire members of the Killarney Camera Club, with this month’s themed competition, titled “Kerry Landscape,” producing a high standard of entries.


Following last week’s feature on the unrestricted category winner, Noel O’Neill, this week showcases the winning photograph in the Novice Category by Eric Jenkinson.
His striking photograph, titled “Wild Atlantic Way,” impressed the judges with its colour, composition, and sense of place. The image captures the rugged beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, featuring Clogher Beach in the foreground and the iconic Three Sisters landmarks in the background.
Eric’s success highlights his photographic talent and his appreciation of the county’s natural scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way coastline.

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End of an era as Killarney dentist Brendan Coffey retires

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End of an era as Killarney dentist Brendan Coffey retires


It marks the end of an era for local dentistry as Brendan Coffey prepares to retire after a 38-year career in Killarney.


Brendan returned from England in 1988, buying a house on New Street from Paddy Doyle and converting it into the Killarney Dental Clinic. The practice officially opened its doors on Friday May 13, 1988.
“As I had started the surgery from scratch, I had no idea when or if my first patient would come,” Brendan said. “I didn’t have to wait long, my neighbour Johnny Healy from Healy’s shop in New Street arrived first thing and gave me my start.”
In a fitting completion of the circle, Johnny is booked in as Brendan’s final patient on Wednesday of this week.
Brendan thanked the community and his former colleagues. “The people of Killarney and all around have been the most wonderful, loyal, and friendly people to have met and have the privilege to treat for the last 38 years,” he said. “I would like to give special mention to my wife Brenda, who acted as a hugely popular practice manager for many years.”
In October 2022, Brendan’s son Jack and his wife Emma took over the practice before expanding the business to a state-of-the-art facility at the Reeks Gateway.
“I feel a huge sense of satisfaction and pride in what the practice has become,” Brendan added. “So, I will sign off by saying: easy on the sweets, give up the fags, and don’t eat for two hours.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for a full story on Brendan’s career.

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