Laois vintage tractor and truck run donations to hospice and Alzheimers

Laois Hospice and the Alzheimers Society of Ireland have been presented with generous donations from a local vintage tractor, truck and car road run, and there is more to come from their recent Christmas outing.

Ballyroan Vintage Club held their most recent festive road run on St Stephen's Day - see Alf Harvey's photos here - and for the third year it was in aid of the two major health charities.

In November in Delaney's Lounge, Ballyroan, the committee held a presentation evening, handing over a handsome €3,000 each from the 2024 run to both charities, with the delay down to gathering all concerned at a suitable day for everyone. 

Dan Kinsella (Chairperson, Ballyroan Vintage Club) presenting a cheque for €3,000 to Alzheimer Society of Ireland, accepted by Grainne Roche (Co-ordinator, Laois Alzheimer Society). Included are Maureen Cahill, Jennifer Mc Kay, John Kinsella, Mary Delaney, Tom Cahill, Margaret Kinsella, Irene Murray and John Fingleton (Laois Hospice volunteers). Back: Michael Cahill, Jimmy Brennan, Liam Brennan, John Mc Evoy and Liam Kinsella. Photo: Michael Scully.

Chairperson Dan Kinsella spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"We did it again this year for the same charities. We used to do it all for Laois Hospice but local people have been affected by Alzheimer's so we thought it would be a good idea to add them. We are looking forward to a future relationship with both charities," he said.

The Stephen's Day event was again "a great success", Dan said.

Dan Kinsella (Chairperson, Ballyroan Vintage Club) presenting a cheque for €3,000 to Mary Delaney and Irene Murray Laois Hospice). Included are Maureen Cahill, Jennifer Mc Kay, John Kinsella, Tom Cahill, Margaret Kinsella, John Fingleton (Laois Hospice volunteers). Back: Michael Cahill, Jimmy Brennan, Liam Brennan, John Mc Evoy and Liam Kinsella. Photo: Michael Scully.

"We are up on funds again this year, there is still coming in but we have collected the guts of €7,000 to €8,000. It was a fine day so we had a terrific turnout.

"I'd like to thank everybody who made any contribution, including the participants, the helpers, the stewards. We had about 150 vehicles including the tractors, trucks and cars.

Read next: Portlaoise GAA club pays tribute to much loved local man

"We had a big crowd of viewers too who made a contribution too, so a big thanks to everyone," the Ballyroan Vintage Club chairperson said.