This article is from page 28 of the 2010-01-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
THERE’S a great thirst in Tulla for cups of tea, coffee and, later in the day, something a bit stronger.
Friends and neighbours will be drinking up on Friday, February 12 when local women, Kay Madden and Lavender Wright have their an- nual ‘open house’ serving cuppas in a good cause.
Kay and her friend and neighbour, Lavender, have been hosting a coffee day in Main Street for 12 years now in aid of the Clare 250 Cancer Cen- tre to raise funds to send patients to Lourdes.
Kay is modest about the amount raised last year because the pair don’t like anyone calling to feel un- der pressure to donate any specific amount.
‘“Let’s just say it was a significant amount and it sent a good number of people to Lourdes. We just put a box by the door and people can donate any amount they want. We just keep the tea and coffee coming. We want it to be another great community day,” said Kay.
Friends, neighbours and the wider community are all invited to call to number 23, between 10am and 10pm, for a hot cuppa, soup, lovely home baking and even an Irish coffee.
The two women are no strangers to the seriousness of cancer, having both walked that road ten years ago.
“I was nominated back then to go to Lourdes and I really believe that the strength I got from that trip and all the support and help I got were what turned me around,” said Kay.
Over the last twelve years, Kay and Lavender, with the support of neigh- bours and friends, have raised money every year through the coffee days, car boot sales and donations.
“T really want to thank my neigh- bours and friends. They have been SO supportive to us. They come along and help us set up in the morn- ing, they make the tea and coffee and Irish coffees and at ten at night they help me wrap up. They’re wonderful. They have me where I am today,” said Kay.
Both Kay and Lavender have had to confront dealing with the terrify- ing disease so they know how im- portant care, research and the moral and emotional support offered by the people who take part in the Clare 250 is. Apart from the good cause, the day is an occasion where neigh- bours and friends come to call, sit down and take time out.
“One of the highlights of the day is when the children get off school and they come in. It’s great for the younger people to be part of this
community day.
“We have everyone – older people coming after they’ve collected their pensions and children coming after school – it’s a real community day, a team effort and that’s why it’s so special,” explained Kay.