Laois fundraiser for bereaved widow and little daughters of 'Robbie Our Hero'

The Portarlington community on the Laois Offaly border are joining in a big fundraiser for the bereaved family of much loved local man.

Dad of two Robert Smart from Drogheda and originally Portarlington, died suddenly last November, to the grief of his wife Emma and young children Holly and Robyn.

Well known in the travel industry, his colleagues and friends are remembering him and raising money to support his family, with several golf classics and an online fundraiser (link below story).

Locally one was already held in Killenard Golf Course, and another will be held in Garryhinch Golf Club on Thursday and Friday, June 22 and 23, followed by a Benefit Night in the Anvil Inn, Portarlington that night. 

Hummingbird Interiors, the shop of Gillian and Ronan Treacy, are holding their own fundraiser on Friday morning, June 16. 

"We kindly ask you for your support. Hummingbird Café are holding a coffee morning in aid of Robert Smart.

"Last November the community of Portarlington was plunged into shock and sadness when the news of Robbie’s sudden death broke. Robbie, a husband to Emma, father to Holly and Robyn, son of Christy and Marie, brother and friend of so many, a childhood neighbour of Ronan’s taken too soon.

"It is our turn to try help and give back to Robbie’s family and help Emma continue build the life they both worked hard for to provide for their beautiful little girls.

"We kindly ask for your support tomorrow morning with our coffee morning for @robbieourhero," they say.

There is also an online fundraiser for Robbie's family.

It was launched in May by Richie Malone who describes his friend.

"On behalf of Robbie’s close friends, of which there were many, we are now fundraising for his wife Emma and their two little girls Holly and Robyn following Robbie’s sudden and unexpected death last November.

"For the many people who knew him, Robbie was a fun-loving and kind-hearted soul with an unrivalled zest for life and for living; he brightened the lives of so many with his enthusiasm, his unique sense of humour and the warmth and kindness he had for all he met. Throughout his short but eventful life, Robbie did many good turns and favours- often behind the scenes and without fuss- for so many of us and he worked tirelessly to help and support many worthy causes. Little did he know that this sad day would come when the support and the generosity he willingly gave without hesitation would be reciprocated by so many in his name.

"And so, the time has come for us to show this support in a tangible way to ensure Holly and Robyn get the start in life they deserve and for which Robbie and Emma had worked hard and strived for. Robbie’s friends and colleagues have not been found wanting in this regard with a number of events already planned for the coming months in support of Emma and the girls.

"The travel industry in which both Robbie and Emma worked for many years have been to the fore with a number of initiatives already underway including:

- January 27th – ITAA awards night- Robbie was posthumously awarded the ‘Hero on the Road’ award for his commitment and dedication to the many roles he held in the travel sector;

- May 18th- Travel Industry Golf Society (TIGS) Golf Classic, the Heritage, Killenard, Co Laois;

- August 17th- Travel Industry Golf Classic, Monkstwown Golf Club, Parkgarriff, Co Cork.

Robbie’s neighbours and friends in Portarlington are also working to organise the following:

- June 23rd- Golf Classic, Portarlington Golf Club, Garryhinch, Co Laois
- June 23rd- Benefit Night, the Anvil Inn, Portarlington, Co Laois

"And so, we would be delighted if you can join us for a round of golf or for a dance and a drink (we cannot think of 3 better ways to remember our friend) on the dates above. If not we would be delighted if you could contact us with your fundraising ideas and/or, recognising the geographic spread of Robbie’s vast network of friends and associates, we have set up this fund for Robbie’s family to which you may wish to contribute in Robbie’s memory.

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"While our efforts and your generosity will sadly never be enough to bring Robbie back to his family, we can play our part to ensure his death marks not the end but the beginning of a new future for Holly and Robyn. They will be without their dad but we will always be there to remind them of just how lucky they were to have such a fantastic father who was a loyal friend and a trusted colleague to so many and a hero to his family."

See the fundraiser link here to donate. 

To enquire about the Golf Classic, call Joe Byrne on 087 6389822 or Alan Hainsworth 087 7409675