ICA news: Wexford charity walk raises €3,000 for deserving causes
So says Joe Keane, the PRO of Wexford ICA, which recently held its first meeting of the year. President Breda Banville presented €1,500 each to Wexford Hospice Homecare and The Alzheimer’s Society (Wexford).
Accepting the cheque on behalf of the hospice, Eithne Fitzpatrick answered questions about the organisation’s services and said 50% of financing came from voluntary donations.
Sheila Gallagher spoke on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society and said that all funds raised in Wexford stayed in Wexford. She outlined how the society supports people with Alzheimer’s, and also their families, with a cafe, social clubs and home support.
“Every ICA member has had a parent, sibling or family friend get cancer, so it’s nice to support the hospice,” said Ms Keane. “Lots of us have elderly parents who’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Wexford ICA members vote each year on which charity to support, so there’s a great sense of ownership.”
At the same meeting came news that Gael Linn had donated six scholarships to Wexford members — each scholarship is valued at €400. And the winners of the handmade muffin competition were announced — Enniscorthy Guild in first place, Adamstown in second, and Camross in third.
Meanwhile, Camross ICA’s lucky streak in quizzes continued. They came first in the annual federation table quiz, repeating last year’s winning performance and beating off competition from 10 other teams — the largest number of entrants for a few years. The win put Camross into the national final, which took place last Saturday.
“There was great concentration for the round of ICA questions — these were a set of anagrams using names of high-profile people in the ICA, locations and guild names. It tested people’s wits when the letters of names such as Breda Banville, Adamstown Guild, and An Grianán were all mixed up,” said Ms Keane.
Community spirit came into its own when the Wexford Women’s Refuge Centre held an open-day. This is another organisation dear to the hearts of guild members, said Ms Keane.
“All year round, members send donations of toiletries. They sent a cheque for €2,000 last year, towards purchasing equipment for the refuge. Joan Furlong, ICA officer for the refuge, is a regular visitor there and relays information to members at federation meetings.”
Meanwhile, Breda Banville, secretary, Mary Fitzgerald, and sports officer, Mary Nolan, supported the Girl Guides at a lunch to mark International Women’s Day, early in March. Kilmore Quay Guild held a ‘full Irish breakfast’ morning in their local community hall, as a fundraiser for the refurbishment of An Grianán.
