Caring Kells dads get on their bikesto raise funds for 10 defibrillators
A WELL-KNOWN charity group in Kells have announced the roll-out of ten new defibrillators following their most recent round of fundraising.
Kells Dads Cycle met with first responders David Brady and Marie Murphy recently as they coordinated the roll-out of ten new defibrillators throughout the community. It is the group's largest project to date, all made possible by funds raised in the community of Kells.
The devices will be spread across the town and surrounding areas at the following locations: The Courthouse, Library, Fire Station, The Grange, Grangegodden, The Glebe, Hermitage Glen, Karen's Boutique on Farrell Street, Wilmount View and McHughs pub in Greetiagh.
Kells Dads' Cycle, an initiative started by former town councillor and footballer, Frankie Lynch, who came up with the idea in 2005 after spending many years involved with Drumbaragh Emmets GFC.
Frankie says after witnessing the generosity of the people of Kells during his time with Drumbaragh, he wanted to do something to give back to the community.
"Anything got to do with community is very important but this one is special because it could save a life," said Frankie.
"We will have ten defibrillators will be spread out around the area and we just hope that one day it will save a life.
"This is our 19th year doing the cycles and we hope to get to the figure of €300,000 in funds raised over that time.
"The people of Kells have been very good to us, they support us in every way. When you look at it is because of those people we have the defibrillators, we are just raising it, it is them who are putting money into the bucket."
Frankie says that "the joy on people's faces, when they get a few bob" is the reason why next year they will be celebrating their 20th anniversary. But back in 2005, their goal was very modest and would never believed they would still be cycling two decades later!
"I was involved with Drumbaragh my whole life, when it was time to move on, I was thinking how good the people of Kells and surrounding areas were to the club when we were going around selling tickets so I thought I;d love to put something back into the community," said Frankie.
"So I got a few of the lads around and I said sure we'll do a cycle and see if we can raise €1000, so we did that first cycle down to Westport, climbed Croagh Patrick on the Saturday and came back on the Sunday and we raised €15000 and here we are 19 years later and we are still at it!
"Kells Windows and Konic Doors have been very supportive of us over the years and we couldn't have done it without them."