In June 2014, eight year old Zoë Scannell from Kilconlea Lower, Abbeyfeale, a little girl who was full of fun and whose zest for life had led to her being involved in everything from dancing to kick boxing to football, travelled with her mom Alisha on holidays to West Cork. Some days after they got there they were involved in a road traffic accident which left Alisha fighting for her life and little Zoë losing hers.
Report by Marian Harnett
It was a tragedy of immeasurable proportions with a life full of promise and high hopes suddenly extinguished and needless to say the Scannell family and the entire community were left bereft and devastated.
Six months later in an effort to bring some good from a desperate calamity, a committee came together, under the chairmanship of John Collins, Clash, Abbeyfeale, to remember Zoë.
Its aim was to commemorate her short but full life and to raise funds for the charities which did so much to help the Scannell family in their hour of need.
A commemorative weekend was organised and took place last May with a jam-packed agenda which included: a cycle challenge; a family fun day; a dance and a variety concert.
The events raised over €28,000 and this was donated to First Light and Bru Columbanus and included a donation to the Hope Foundation.
Fundraising in Zoë’s Name
Plans are now in train to continue the good work begun last year and carry on fundraising in Zoë’s name for good causes with children’s charities: Make a Wish Foundation; Community Games; Hope Foundation and the playground in Abbeyfeale Town Park being the chosen beneficiaries this year.
There are a number of events pencilled in and these include: Back-2-School Theme Party, Railway Bar, Abbeyfeale on Easter Sunday night March 27th. Entertainment with Band No Direction and late-night DJ. No homework, No exams, just fun with your old Class mates….A night not to be missed! – Doors open at 9pm.
Remembering Zoë Cycle Challenge on Sunday, May 15th starting at Fr. Casey’s GAA Clubhouse at 9am and consisting of a 110km, a 75km and a 40km cycle with refreshments before and after at the Fr. Casey GAA Clubhouse and a Food Stop at Mountcollins Community Centre.
Family Fun Day
Registration for the cycle will take place in the GAA clubhouse on Friday, May 13th from 6pm to 9pm and again on Sunday morning from 7.30am. Family Fun Day on Sunday, June 19th from 2pm at Fr. Casey’s GAA Club with kiddies disco at 6pm.
A day out for all the family with lots of great activities. Enjoy the old reliables and lots of new and exciting games to keep all the family entertained!
Relay Run to Dublin – A once in a lifetime three-day relay run to Dublin starting on July 29th in Abbeyfeale and finishing at Make a Wish Foundation headquarters in Dublin on July 31st taking in some of Ireland’s biggest towns along the way!
