Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone present €20,500 to national association

Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone recently presented a cheque for €20,500 to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) at the Plaza Hotel.

The funds represent the total raised over the past 12 months through various local initiatives. These included contributions from the Tralee Lions Club, Ballybunion Lady Captain’s Day, the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, a Killarney darts competition, the annual Killarney Flag Day collection, and numerous individual donations.
Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone Chairman, Christy Lehane, welcomed the IMNDA delegation, which included CEO Kevin Burn, Head of Communications Fiona Thornton, Community and Operations Manager Tracy Hutchin, and Hub Project Worker Manika Nia Dixon.
During the meeting, the IMNDA representatives outlined the operational challenges they face. The association requires €2.75 million annually to provide services across the 26 counties, with 90% of that budget now dependent entirely on public fundraising.
CEO Kevin Burn stated that fundraising contributions are a lifeline for the community, directly funding specialised equipment and home care hours. The association currently employs seven nurses who travel nationwide to support sufferers and their families. There are currently more than 470 people living with MND in Ireland, including 20 individuals in County Kerry.
Fiona Thornton, Head of Communications at the IMNDA, expressed gratitude to the Kerry group for their ongoing commitment, noting that the funds directly support essential services, including specialist nursing care, equipment provision, and emotional support for families.
Christy Lehane thanked the Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone committee and the general public for their continued support since the group was formed in 2011, noting the increasing difficulty of fundraising in a highly competitive environment. He described the fact that 90% of the national service's budget relies on charity as a challenging and unacceptable situation that has yet to be properly addressed by state authorities.