Siobhan MacSweeney (Recovery Haven) accepting a charity cheque for €500 from Joy Clifford (Vice Chairman of the Board) and Dermot Griffin (Board Member) at Killarney Credit Union on Monday.

John Drummey (Kerry Mental Health Association) accepting a charity cheque for €500 from Joy Clifford (Vice Chairperson), Dermot Griffin (Board Member) and Ger Galvin (Secretary KCU) at Killarney Credit Union on Monday.

Vera O'Leary Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre accepting a charity cheque for €500 from (back) Joy Clifford Vice Chairperson, Ger Galvin Secretary and Dermot Griffin Board member Killarney Credit Union Killarney Credit Union at Killarney Credit Union on Monday.

DONATION: Jillian O'Sullivan (Treasurer and PRO) and Sheila Teahan (Chairperson) of MS South Kerry accepting a charity cheque for €500 from Killarney Credit Union's Karena McCarthy (Marketing and Sales) with Shane Foley (Risk and Compliance Manager) at Killarney Credit Union on Monday. Photo: Michelle Cooper Galvin

​​​​Killarney Credit Union has donated €3,000 to local charities following a staff and volunteer initiative undertaken in March. The idea for the challenge was floated by compliance manager Shane Foley to help promote fitness and wellness of mind and body particularly during the tough level five lockdown. And there was a great take up from both credit union staff and the Board of Directors. Whilst considering the idea, the credit union felt that if they incentivised the idea by giving money to charity at the end, it would add greater motivation to their goal.

The Board of Directors and staff collectively undertook the challenge by walking, jogging and running and are delighted to say that they surpassed their initial three million metre target and completed 4.2 million metres in total in March - over 1 million metres per week - which was a great team effort!

There was a great buzz in the office with some healthy competition between colleagues as to who did the longest distance, and most importantly it meant that they were able to donate €500 to the Kerry Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre, MS South Kerry Branch, Recovery Haven, Kerry Mental Health Association, St Anne’s Community Hospital, Cahersiveen and Taobh Linn (Meals on Wheels) Kenmare.

“This past 12 months has been hard on everyone and especially our local charities," Marketing Officer of Killarney Credit Union, Karena McCarthy, said.

"Most of their usual fundraising incentives have had to be postponed so it is nice to be able to help them out in some small way. These charities, like ourselves, are community based and we all need to support each other.”

[caption id="attachment_37254" align="aligncenter" width="479"] Vera O'Leary from the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre accepting a charity cheque for €500 from Joy Clifford (Vice Chairperson), Ger Galvin (Secretary) and Dermot Griffin (Board Member) at Killarney Credit Union on Monday. [/caption]

[caption id="attachment_37242" align="alignleft" width="496"] Siobhan MacSweeney (Recovery Haven) accepting a charity cheque for €500 from Joy Clifford (Vice Chairman of the Board) and Dermot Griffin (Board Member) at Killarney Credit Union on Monday.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_37243" align="alignleft" width="427"] John Drummey (Kerry Mental Health Association) accepting a charity cheque for €500 from Joy Clifford (Vice Chairperson), Dermot Griffin (Board Member) and Ger Galvin (Secretary KCU) at Killarney Credit Union on Monday.[/caption]