Reving up in Laois to support Portlaoise hospital

Laois organisers have set the wheels in motion on plans for a big fundraiser to help a local charity to support the care needs of patients at Portlaoise hospital.

The Road to Recovery - Van, Jeep, 4x4, Car, Vintage Car, and Truck Road Run was launched recently ahead of the big event on Sunday, February 23, with all proceeds going to support the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital.

This event will see trucks, vans, cars, and vintage vehicles and jeeps come together for a road convoy, traveling in unison along a designated route from Castletown Community Centre, through Mountrath, onto the motorway, passing the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and back to Castletown Community Centre.

The organisers say it promises to be a great day for both participants and spectators, with a fantastic raffle afterwards with great prizes up for grabs. 

Toney Ryan is one of the Road to Recovery organisers. 

"We are excited to launch our fourth Road To Recovery Road Run. Over the last three years we have raised €12,065 for St. James Hospital Skin Cancer Unit and this year we're bringing it more local and supporting the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital. We have had tremendous support over the past three years and we hope our fourth year will be bigger and better," he said.

He was among those to attend the launch with representatives of the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital including Áine Reams who thanked the organisers. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The Road to Recover Run getting ready to depart Castletown in 2024. Pic: Road to Recovery

"We are so grateful to Toney, Margaret, Niamh and the Ryan family for holding their Road Run in aid of the Friends this year. This event will help raise much-needed funds for the patients of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. Without the support of people like the Ryan family we wouldn't be able to fulfil our mission of enhancing patient comforts at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

"We can’t wait to see a variety of vehicles on the road together, driving for the Friends," she said. 

Registration on February 23 begins at 12:30 pm in the Castletown Community Centre. The run departs at 2pm.

For more information follow the Road To Recovery facebook page. You can also support the fundraiser online at idonate HERE.

The "Friends" is a small voluntary committee established in April 1991 with the main aim being to improve patient comforts in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. They do this by providing the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise with much-needed supplies and medical equipment. They rely solely on fundraising and donations.

Niamh, Toney and Margaret Ryan of Road To Recovery were joined at the launch by Friends of Portlaoise Hospital members John O’Neill, Emma Dempsey, Aoife, Áine and Ann Reams.