Members of the extended O’Connor family gathered for a photograph in Scartaglin during the week with Jack Shanahan, Chairman of the Castleisland branch of the Kerry Hospice Foundation.
The occasion was the presentation of the proceeds of Jack O’Connor Memorial Shave at Fleming’s Bar at the end of August.
The amount raised in the course of the night for Palliative Care Unit came to an incredible total of: €7,132.
The event was held in memory of one of the village’s great characters, the late Jack Paric O’Connor, Mount, Scartaglin who passed away earlier this year at the end of January after a long battle with illness.
©Photograph: John Reidy 8-2-2003
“The generosity of all involved knows no bounds and it’s for such a worthy and needy cause. I know a lot of people in Scartaglin are talking about it and that’s a testament to the man himself. We felt that it was a great way to remember him,” said organising committee spokesman, Martin Horgan.
“I know it made a huge impression on the village and surrounding areas and it was a great success as a fundraiser, but, it’s early days as far as making it an annual event is concerned. It’s an incredible sum of money from one night.
“People were amazing. Twenty-two people shaved their heads but so many others donated money and sponsored them. The people at the Kerry Palliative Unit were so good to Jack in the lead up to his passing that we wanted to say thank you to them in some way,” said Martin.
