Mary’s Memorial Walk Raised €13,300 for Two Kerry Charities

Guests, Kieran Donaghy and David Moran pictured with Jim Garvey at Castleisland Community Centre on the morning of the Garvey’s SuperValu/Mary Buckley O’Keeffe Memorial Walk. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Brendan O’Keeffe addressing the gathering at Castleisland Community Centre on the morning of the walk in memory of his late wife, Mary Buckley O’Keeffe organised by her colleagues and management at Garvey’s SuperValu and which raised €13,300 for Kerry charities. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Brendan O’Keeffe (centre) with his daughters: Chloe and Emma at the gathering for the walk in memory of Brendan’s wife and mom to the girls, Mary Buckley O’Keeffe at Castleisland Community Centre. Included are from left: Cllr. Bobby O’Connell, Kevin McCarthy, Garvey’s SuperValu; with guests, David Moran, Kieran Donaghy, Séamus O’Connor, manager, Garvey’s SuperValu and Aidan O’Mahony. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Kieran Donaghy pictured with Eileen Brennan (left) and Ruth Horgan-Lyons at Castleisland Community Centre on the morning of the Garvey’s SuperValu/Mary Buckley O’Keeffe Memorial Walk. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Friends and cousins from Scartaglin, Tournafulla and Leitrim pictured at Castleisland Community Centre on the morning of the Garvey’s SuperValu/Mary Buckley O’Keeffe Memorial Walk. Included are: Ciara Gill, Shauna and Katelyn O’Keeffe, Declan Gill, Kalum Buckley. Back: Chloe and Emma O’Keeffe, Mikalla and Zak Buckley. ©Photograph: John Reidy 2-3-2019

Brendan O’Keeffe (left) pictured with Jim Garvey at Castleisland Community Centre on the morning of the walk in memory of his late wife, Mary Buckley O’Keeffe. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Garvey’s SuperValu Manager, Séamus O’Connor addressing the gathering at Castleisland Community Centre on the morning of the Garvey’s SuperValu/Mary Buckley O’Keeffe Memorial Walk. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Seven year-old Ryan O’Connor had his boot signed by Star Kerry footballer, Kieran Donaghy at the gathering for the Mary Buckley O’Keeffe Memorial Walk at Castleisland Community Centre. ©Photograph: John Reidy 2-3-2019

Cancer support and symbols of hope on the Mary Buckley O’Keeffe Memorial Walk which was organised by management and her colleagues at Garvey’s SuperValu in Castleisland on March 2nd. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Brenda Dyland, Cork/Kerry Health Link Bus pictured with guest Kieran Donaghy and Séamus O’Connor, Manager Garvey’s SuperValu Garvey’s SuperValu at Castleisland Community Centre on the morning of the Garvey’s SuperValu/Mary Buckley O’Keeffe Memorial Walk. ©Photograph: John Reidy 2-3-2019

Management and staff at Garvey’s SuperValu, Castleisland pictured on Tuesday with the O’Keeffe family, Brendan, Chloe and Emma and representatives of the Kerry Cancer Support Group/Health Link Bus and Recovery Haven Cancer Support House at the presentation of the €13,300 proceeds from the March 2nd. Garvey’s SuperValu organised Mary Buckley-O’Keeffe Memorial Walk in Castleisland. Included are, front from left: Trish Kelly, Kerry Cancer Support Group; Emma and Brendan O’Keeffe, Seán Lyons, Kerry Cancer Support Group; Séamus O’Connor, manager Garvey’s SuperValu; Marisa Reidy and Maureen O’Brien, Recovery Haven Cancer Support House. Back from left: Laura O’Connor, Sinéad Scanlon, Oliver Falvey, Helen Greaney, Mike Foley, Helen Flynn, Joanne Ahern, William Cotter, Noranne O’Connor, Helen Cronin, David Moore and James Brosnan. ©Photograph: John Reidy 30-4-2019

**The late Mary Buckley-O’Keeffe in whose memory the fundraising charity walk was held on March 2nd.**

Management and staff of the Castleisland branch of Garvey’s SuperValu put out a call last February for support for a walk they had planned for early March.

The event was being planned in memory of a valued and departed member of staff.

The late Mary Buckley O’Keeffe

Mary Buckley-O’Keeffe worked in the Castleisland store up to the time she lost her battle for life in late 2018.

“Mary was a friend and a really valued member of the staff here and we thought that if everything worked out well we could, maybe get to a €10,000 total with our fundraiser,” said branch manager Séamus O’Connor.

An Awful Forecast

“The awful forecast for the morning of the walk made us downplay our estimate and we thought we’d make the €8,000 mark. We were wrong.

“We underestimated the determination of the staff here and of the people of Castleisland and its neighbouring areas who turned out in an inspirational show of support on one of the worst morning you could imagine.

Gave Up Time-Off

“The staff here were unbelievable the way the gave up their time off to get behind the effort. Mike Foley organised a head-shave and took part himself.

“And here we are this morning with a cheque for €13,300 to split between two deserving charities doing great work in Kerry.

An Active Part

“We’re delighted to be able to do this in honour and memory of our friendship with Mary and her husband Brendan and the girls, Emma and Chloe and we’re delighted they played such an active part in the fundraising,” said Séamus in conclusion.

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