Urgent Appeal issued for ‘Drink Tea for MND’ fundraiser

Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone has issued an urgent appeal to the Killarney community to support the annual “Drink Tea for MND” initiative this March. The fundraiser is the largest of its kind for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA), providing essential financial support for home care and specialist medical equipment for over 470 people living with the disease across Ireland.

The importance of the campaign is highlighted by the growth of the association’s frontline services. In 2011, the IMNDA operated with just two nurses for the entire country. Following years of intensive fundraising—including major contributions from the late Fr Tony Coote and Charlie Bird—the association now employs seven specialist nurses. Last year alone, these nurses conducted 1,131 home visits to support patients and their families.

Organisers noted that 85% of the association’s income is derived from public fundraising events like tea parties. Last year, the initiative raised €150,000, which is critical for maintaining services. There is a strong local hope that the tradition of “having a cuppa” with neighbours can be harnessed once again to meet the rising costs of providing specialised care.

Christy Lehane, Chairman of the Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone, is leading the local appeal. Speaking at a recent campaign launch, Mr Lehane noted that while many people in the Killarney area have already pledged support, the need remains constant.”Every week our seven nurses sit at kitchen tables across Ireland sharing cups of tea with people who have been diagnosed with MND. I will Drink Tea for MND this year, will you?”

Residents are encouraged to host a tea party, office tea break, or coffee morning at any time during the month of March. For those unable to organise an event, donations can be made online at www.imnda.ie or by calling 01 6703552.

Students Triumph at Kerry Student Enterprise Awards

Students from St Brendan’s College and Killarney Community College took home major honours at the Kerry County Council Student Enterprise Awards held on Friday, 13 March, at MTU Tralee. The competition saw over 20 mini-businesses from across the county compete in categories testing business development, finance, marketing, and formal planning.

The top prize in the Senior Category was won by St Brendan’s College for their business, Duckers Designs. The company, founded by Finn O’Neill, Colm O’Connor, and Diarmuid O’Sullivan, specialises in handmade wooden products. As county champions, the team will now represent Kerry at the National Finals in Mullingar on 7 May.

Killarney Community College also secured a significant win, with student Laura Zahorcova receiving the Innovation Plan award for her business, ‘Yera & Nori Storybooks’.

Tomás Hayes, Head of the Local Enterprise Office, praised the resourcefulness of this year’s participants. “This is a real-life exercise involving actual trading and profit generation,” he said. “It gives students a taste of everything involved in business, from finding an idea to funding and team building.”

Kerry Programme Coordinator Margaret Murphy noted the high standard of the 2026 entries and expressed hope for further success at the upcoming National Final.