Staff and clients of St Anne's pictured here with members of the fundraising committee, five Lions clubs, Wings Golf Society and main sponsors Corrib Oil. Photograph: PJ Wright

Transport vehicle presented to St Anne's in Roscrea

Saint Anne's Golf Committee combined with local Lions Clubs from Nenagh, Roscrea, Birr, Templemore and Thurles to purchase a second-hand transport vehicle for the Villas in St Anne's to help update their transport vehicles.


The proceeds from a golf outing in Roscrea Golf Club in June, combined with a ticket draw raised just in excess of €10,000 while the local Lions Clubs and Golf Wings Society contributed an additional €13,500.


From the combined contributions, a seven-seater second-hand transport vehicle with wheelchair facilities was recently purchased and formally presented to Catherine Lydon, head of service providers at St Anne's, this week.


At the presentation, Joe Dooley, Chairperson of the golf committee, welcomed everyone present and thanked them for their very generous contributions towards the purchase of the transport vehicle. In particular, he nominated the golf committee, the Lions Clubs and the Wings Golf Society for their support and generosity. Corrib Oil was also noted for being the main sponsor for St Anne's golf outing. He also thanked the management and staff of St Anne's and also the Sisters for their service and care for the children for the past 50 years.


On behalf of the Lions Clubs, parents, children staff, management and Sisters, Martin Slattery thanked St Anne's Golf Committee for the role they played in raising money towards the purchase of the transport vehicle and, more importantly for the work they have done over the last 28 years during the duration of the committee.
“Secondly, a word of thanks to the Lions Clubs of Nenagh, Roscrea, Birr, Templemore and Thurles, who made very generous contrubutions towards this beautiful vehicle for the Villas,” Mr Slattery said.


“I would also like to put on record that this is the second occasion in the past number of years when the same Lions Clubs were involved in the purchase of a similar type vehicle for St Anne's Special School, situated quite close to the Villas, where a wonderful service is provided for children and young adults with varying disabilities.


“From the moment I made contact with the each of the Lions Clubs I found you all very encouraging and fully supportive towards the purchase of this vehicle; once again, Míle Buíochas.


“A word of thanks also to the Wings Golf Society, which has been very supportive of St Anne's for many years and on this occasion gave us very generous financial contribution towards the purchase of this vehicle. That was the final contribution, which helped us over the line.”


Mr Slattery paid a special tribute to the management and staff of St Anne's including the Villas and houses in Roscrea and surrounding towns - “You're constant loving and ongoing care is deeply appreciated.


“Finally, to the good Sisters of St Anne's, we pay you a special tribute and take this opportunity to thank you for the huge contribution you made in the area of care, nursing disability, and education, not only in Roscrea but throughout the country. Personally I believe that this mammoth contribution by the religious in general in all of those areas has often been taken for granted. Today in Roscrea, we choose this moment to say 'Thank you Sisters'.”