With over 430 individuals from all over Kerry and beyond taking on Lily’s Pink Challenge last Saturday in Killarney Race Course it was a reflection of individuals, communities and community groups getting behind the Lily Daly Foundation and Daly Family from Ballyhar, Firies.

Mike Ger and Donal Daly at Lily’s Pink Challenge

Some of the 400 participants at Lily’s Pink Challenge

Volunteers at Lily’s Pink Challenge at Killarney Racecourse on Saturday

Lily’s Pink Challenge involved a 60 km cycle through the Gap of Dunloe, and/or a 10 km run/walk around Ross Castle and Killarney National Park.

A worthy cause with all proceeds going towards the Heart Centre in Crumlin Hospital and the Ronald McDonald house in Dublin.

Individuals that could not attend in person in Killarney on Saturday, completed Lily’s Pink Challenge last Saturday in Boston, Geelong Australia, Dubai, London, Chicago and Portgual.

Speaking after the event, Caroline Daly (Lily’s mom and managing director of the Lily Daly Foundation) said: “We were truly blown away by the support leading up to the event, the ground swell of support from individuals and communities from all over Kerry, Cork and beyond partaking on Saturday.

"Words can’t describe what it meant to us. Also, the level of donations have been phenomenal from all across Ireland but also all across the word, from across Europe, Dubai, America and even as far as Australia. Also, with over 50 volunteers helping out on the day, they also deserve special mention, we could not have done this without their help, support and generosity and I want to say a special thanks to all of them. Finally, we would also like to thank DJ Pat Dilworth, our MC Niall O Callaghan, Killarney Race Course and Secret Balloons ."

The Lily Daly Foundation’s primary mission and purpose is to support children and their parents when in hospital with heart related issues. Lily Daly was born in June, 2019 and suffered from Pulmonary Vein Stenosis, a very rear condition affecting the heart and surrounding arteries. Unfortunately, after frequent visits to Crumlin, major heart surgery in both Crumlin and the Presbyterian Hospital in New York, Lily passed away on in February 2021.