Longford vintage enthusiasts help raise funds for families affected by cancer
Lakeland Vintage Club members from Longford and Westmeath recently presented €1,000 to Hand in Hand
Lakeland Vintage Club CLG run various events throughout the year such as their autojumble, annual show, car and tractor runs.
The Club donates the fund raised from these events to various charities, usually alternating between counties Longford and Westmeath, as the majority of members hail from there. This year it was the turn of Westmeath to benefit.
Lakeland Vintage Club held their annual Vintage Show on May 10 last and North Westmeath Hospice were the chosen charity. Then the club held their tractor run.
Chairperson George Armstrong explained, “This usually is just a fun run with no registration fees, but this year club members decided that as cancer affects so many people and in particular children, they linked up with Hand in Hand who provide practical and emotional support services to families affected by childhood cancer throughout Ireland.”
The focus of Hand in Hand has always been to give these children and their families on-the-ground support, to minimise the impact that both the diagnosis and frequent long-distance travel for treatment has on family life.
Mr Armstrong added, “Hand in Hand is a voluntary organisation, and these supports are free of charge. Practical support includes household cleaning services, laundry, family meals. Emotional support includes play therapy and counselling. They look after the ordinary while families look after the extraordinary circumstances, so that no family in Ireland must face this alone.”
Mr Armstrong concluded by thanking all club members and event supporters who gave so generously to make this presentation possible. He also thanked Mark Dwyer who travelled to the Lakeland Vintage Club meeting in the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule to accept the donation.
Lakeland Vintage Club members presenting €1,000 to Hand in Hand. Pictured l to r; Caroline Stewart, Mary Mulvaney, Mark Dwyer (Hand In Hand), George Armstrong (Chairperson), Edré Mills, Joe Kilmurray, John Joe Lohan, Michael Lynch and Pat Keenan.