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Ryan takes on 200k in 28 days to help his school

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ACCOMPLISHMENT: Ryan Looney (13) from Gneeveguilla, pictured with his mom Brigitta, is walking 200k in 28 days to raise funds for his school. Photo: Michelle Crean 

By Michelle Crean

He may not have the actual view of the Ring of Kerry but that isn't stopping one teen from walking its circumference - by taking on 200k all within 28 days! Ryan Looney (13) who has Autism, decided to take on the huge challenge to help raise funds for his school.

Currently in the Oak Class in St. Francis Special School, Ryan, from Quarry Cross, Gneeveguilla, wanted to raise money to help fund private therapies such as speech and language therapy carried out by Kerry Speech and Language Clinic who offer 1:1 SLT sessions.

And Ryan is so dedicated to his goal that he hasn't missed a day's walk, accompanied by his mom Brigitta, since the Easter holidays.

What's even better is that Ryan is getting huge support online through his GoFundMe and Facebook pages 'Ryan's Virtual Ring of Kerry Walking Challenge'.

"Ryan has been walking non stop all through his Easter Holidays, he has been walking over 10k a day and now has over 160k done," his mom Brigitta told the Killarney Advertiser.

"As he is back in school now and busy, he is doing the rest of the challenge in the evenings with smaller walks of 3km and 4km. He hopes to have it completed by next week. He loves being outdoors and it's something different, and we've been blessed with the weather."

Normally the school has an annual golf classic fundraiser organised by the SFSS Parent's Autism Support Group. Their last one, in 2019, raised €19,000. However, with events postponed due to the ongoing pandemic, fundraising has become harder, and this inspired Ryan and his mom take on the challenge.

"A friend had the Conqueror App and was walking to Rome virtually, so we decided to do the Ring of Kerry. It maps out the walk and once completed he will get a medal in the post. We also set up a GoFundMe page with a target of €1,000 and it's now at almost €3,000," Brigitta added.

"We have a Facebook page set up 'Ryan's Virtual Ring of Kerry Walking Challenge' and people are sending me pics as they are walking to support Ryan with #TEAMRYAN which is lovely, and he loves seeing them."

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Chamber’s emphasis on cyber security

  Businesses in Killarney have been fully briefed on what measures they need to taketo ensure greater cyber security to protect their companies. Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce hosted […]

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Businesses in Killarney have been fully briefed on what measures they need to take
to ensure greater cyber security to protect their companies.

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce hosted a very informative breakfast
briefing in the International Hotel at which they keynote speakers were cyber security
experts Mike Dennehy and Ger McAuliffe from progressive local company Tricel.
The opening question at the event was how will a business operate tomorrow if it
loses access to its data today?
Mike and Ger recommended that all employers to include IT training as part of the
induction programme for new entrants, organise monthly awareness training for all
employees and to conduct monthly spot-checks to ensure everything is going
according to plan.
It was essential, they pointed out not to give the same level of access to all
employees to reduce risk and to devise a disaster recovery plan in case it is needed.
Companies have also been advised not to allow the public to use their private wi-fi
network and, instead, to set up a public or guest network.
Chamber thanked the experts from Tricel for their engaging talk which certainly put
the spotlight very firmly on the need to enhance cyber security measures.

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Win tickets for Killarney for Palestine sold-out INEC show

Killarney for Palestine has announced a fundraising competition that will give Killarney Advertiser readers a chance to win two tickets to the sold-out Night for Palestine concert in the INEC […]

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Killarney for Palestine has announced a fundraising competition that will give Killarney Advertiser readers a chance to win two tickets to the sold-out Night for Palestine concert in the INEC on December 19.

The event, which features Amble, Beoga and Clare Sands, has already reached full capacity, but the group is offering two tickets along with a €250 Gleneagle Hotel Group voucher, which can also be used at the Brehon.
To enter, supporters are asked to make a minimum €5 donation to the group’s Chuffed campaign, which is raising funds for urgent medical support for a displaced family in Gaza.

The link to the campaign is:

http://chuffed.org/project/154575-urgent-medical-relief-for-mohammad-basyouni-his-kids

After donating, entrants must email proof of donation to:
killarneyforpalestine@yahoo.com
The competition runs on the group’s Instagram page @killarneyforpalestine, where full instructions are listed. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on November 29.
Killarney for Palestine says all proceeds from the INEC event will support Aclaí Palestine, a community gym based in Aida Refugee Camp, Bethlehem.

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