Cullen weight loss challenge participants lose 600 pounds
Boherbue ladies Louise Daly, Julie Anne Daly, Jackie O'Sullivan and Eileen Moynihan attended the Cullen Weigh In. Picture John Tarrant
Organisers of the Cullen and District Special Needs Association Weigh In the presence of recipient of proceeds and Michael Moynihan, TD. Picture John Tarrant
Brid O'Riordam, Chairperson, Cullen and District Special Needs Association presents Mary Fogarty from COPE with funding at the Weigh In. Picture John Tarrant
John Corcoran, Anne McSweeney and Mossie Kearns attended the Cullen Weigh In finale. Picture John Tarrant
Neilly Lehane, Kiskeam delighted to shed 19 pounds at the Cullen Weigh In pictured Moira O'Keeffe and Marie O'Sullivan. Picture John Tarrant
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PARTICIPANTS worked hard to shed the pounds and raise euros on another successful staging at the Cullen and District Special Needs Association Annual Weight Loss Challenge that allowed participants to face Spring with a healthier new look.
Supporters from all over the greater Duhallow Region and into East Kerry lost excess flab generated earlier in the year over the shorter days of winter and in doing so generated finance for a worthy cause.
The latest Weigh In concluded on Monday night and completed a most successful fundraiser undertaken by the progressive Voluntary grouping Cullen and District Special Needs Association whose workload towards improving the quality of life for people with special needs is renowned for close on forty years.
With close to 600 pounds lost in weight owing to exercise and jiving, more than €5,000 was generated by patrons to support the cause. The Weight Loss Challenge remains popular, the hosting commenced in January, co-ordinator Marie O’Sullivan on hand on a weekly basis with his weighing scales and monitored the progress of participants.
Each of the participants responded by checking their diets thus the pounds and stone were shed.
At the closing night, Chairperson Bríd O’Riordan hailed all those involved in the weigh in.
“There was terrific enthusiasm over the ten weeks from everybody involved. Thanks are extended to the wonderful support of a dedicated committee”, said Bríd.
In the gents section, trophies were awarded to Millstreet blocklayer James Collins who lost a massive 36.6 pounds. And in second position was Declan Kelleher, Millstreet losing 21.6 pounds with Kiskeam’s Neally Lehane forfeiting 19 pounds.
In the ladies section trophies were awarded to Mags Mullane from Rathcoole who emerged winner on shedding 21.6 pounds followed by Marie Fleming and Dolores O’Connor.
Most money was collected by Mary O’Mahony on raising an impressive €320 followed by Neally Lehane, Thomas Kelleher and Colette Vaughan.
Secretary Moira O’Keeffe issued a sincere thanks to Marie O’Sullivan and Hannah Lee O’Connor for their involvement over the ten weeks.
Present at the formal presentation of cheques were Mary Fogarty, COPE Foundation; Michael Hegarty, St. Josephs, Charleville and Gillian Kenny, Kerry Parents and Friends Rathmore.
Michael Moynihan, TD, Chairperson of the Disability Matters Committee in Dail Eireann commended all involved in Cullen Special Needs Association. Hopes for a respite centre in Cullen are back on the table, Deputy Moynihan confirmed his work with agencies for the project to advance.