Wilkinstown annual family fun day to be held in memory of David McAteer
Wilkinstown Community Centre will hold its annual family fun day on 4th August with this year's event being held in memory of David McAteer and to raise funds for two causes nominated by his wife Zoe that are close to her heart.
While the family fun day event is always free, a fundraising page has been set up on idonate in conjunction with the event to raise funds for Embrace Farm, a support network for farm families who have lost a loved on or suffered a serious injury in a farming accident, and also for Wilkinstown Community Centre.
A raffle will also take place on the day with some fantastic prizes up for grabs and Zoe said they have been overwhelmed by the generosity of local businesses who have come on board donating prizes. Tickets will be sold in advance of the family fun day on 4th August, with the draw taking place on the day itself.
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Zoe contacted Embrace Farm soon after David's accident and said it did help to chat to people who understood some of what they were going through.
They also covered the cost of weekly counselling sessions and they can also cover the cost of other supports such as play therapy for the children.
The other funds will go towards Wilkinstown Community Centre, a group Zoe has been involved with for several years which manages the local community centre, amenity park and playground. "There is such an amazing committee there. What they have done over the past few years is incredible. The community is getting such great use out of facilities and all the different classes that are running there for kids and different fun days and events," said Zoe.
She also spoke of how supportive the committee was at the time of David's Funeral, organising the afters and all the parking and said she knew it was one thing she didn't have to worry about at the time and that they would handle it all.
Zoe would also like to thank all her friends in the community, all the staff parents, teachers and kids in Wilkinstown NS, Fr Gerry in Rathkenny, the local sports clubs and groups and all who have supported her on an ongoing basis, whether through meeting up for coffee or lunch, having playdates with the children, and all the messages and phone calls of support, saying it is all very much appreciated.