Keane’s charity bid puts people in the shade

IT’S official. Roy Keane wants to put everyone in the shade — for a very good cause!

This became abundantly clear yesterday when the Manchester United superstar made a flying visit to Dublin to launch the second annual ‘Shades for a Day’ fundraising campaign.

The event is the principal fundraising day of the year for one of Keano's favourite charities, the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB).

Schools, businesses and other organisations, as well as individuals, are being encouraged to register for the event which takes place on May 7 next.

“We want to give people the opportunity to wear their shades to work or wherever they are so as to draw attention to better eye health and the need to prevent sight difficulties in later life,” said IGDB chief executive Padraig Mallon.

The campaign, which is sponsored by Specsavers Opticians, hopes to exceed the proceeds of last year’s event, which raised over €75,000 for the charity. The staff at the Radisson SAS St Helen’s Hotel, where yesterday’s launch took place, have raised €35,000 towards the training of a puppy in the past year.

“It is such a great charity,” said the midfield maestro. “The independence that comes from the training means that visually impaired people can work, go on holiday, have a normal life really.”

Keane does a huge amount of charitable work, but is renowned for not wanting any publicity for his efforts.