This article is from page 4 of the 2008-02-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
THE team of volunteers who worked with Gerry Daffy on building a hos- pice in South Africa formed a guard of honour for his funeral at the week- end, along with members of the Tur- key Trotters and the Clare Hounds.
And his family bravely insisted that the church gate collection which he had organised to raise money for the Sr Ethel Normoyle Building of Hope Project should go ahead.
His grieving widow, Annette, told friends that her husband had been so moved by the plight of the people in
the townships at Missionvale that he was adamant to continue fundraising.
Gerry, who died in a tragic farm- ing accident, had just returned from spending 10 days working to raise the building in the centre run by the Lisseycasey nun outside Port Eliza- lreiteF
When news of the tragedy broke in Port Elizabeth, stunned volunteers placed a picture of Gerry on the seat in the children’s playground where he used to sit to have lunch.
As candles burned before the pho- to, children from the township came to say prayers and thank the man
who had worked tirelessly on their ont ee
Sr Ethel said that she could not believe that “such a bright light has left us. He worked so hard and gave everything while he was here to help bring hope to people. We are so shocked and our hearts go out to his Ie DObeAVA
‘He was a lovely, caring man. He will be reaping the rewards of his kindness and hard work now.”
‘He was a hero for those 10 days,” said project organiser, Olive Halpin. “When he was getting on the bus to leave I hugged him and he said, ‘Ol-
ive, those were the best 10 days of my life’.”
Fellow organiser, Maureen Mc- Carthy said that the team are “abso- lutely stunned. He was such a vibrant person and so lively”’.
Ennis priest, Fr John Molloy said Mass on Sunday in Missionvale as Gerry was being laid to rest in Ort
Gerry and his wife Annette organ- ised a charity performance night with traditional music star, Sharon Shannon. The night raised more than €6,000 for the Building of Hope Ke) elm