By Dionne Meehan
A FUNDRAISING event in memory of the late Kevin Boylan, who sadly passed away this year after falling ill on Errigal Mountain, will be held in Letterkenny later this month.
A Karaoke Christmas Jumper Party will take place in the Swilly Inn at 6pm on December 22.
Running for the past 13 years, the event’s organisers decided to make Sheephaven Sub Aqua Club and Donegal Mountain Rescue the beneficiaries for this year’s event.
With Kevin’s daughter, Emma Boylan, being one of the organisers behind the annual event, the Donegal News heard of her “close” and “personal” ties to both charities.
On September 6, tragedy struck when Emma’s father fell ill on the summit of Errigal requiring the urgent assistance of the Rescue 118 helicopter, Donegal Mountain Rescue and the fire service.
Despite their best efforts, he sadly passed away.
His legacy, however, is one of selfless service as he had been a dedicated member of Sheephaven Sub Aqua Club and Sheephaven Search and Recovery for over 30 years, actively participating in numerous search and recovery missions.
In honour of Kevin’s commitment and service, the team decided to direct their support towards these two remarkable charities.
Sheephaven SAC is not only dedicated to recreational scuba diving but also operates a fully trained community-based volunteer Search and Recovery Unit, offering assistance in times of water-based tragedies.
The Donegal Mountain Rescue Team, comprised entirely of volunteers, provides a crucial emergency response in remote environments and extreme terrains throughout Donegal.
Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, this dedicated team relies solely on grants and public donations to sustain their operations, covering equipment replacement, training and day-to-day running costs.
All funds raised by the Karaoke Christmas Jumper Party will go directly to supporting these vital causes.
The Sheephaven SAC Search and Recovery and Donegal Mountain Rescue Team are not only organizations that save lives but embody the spirit of community and selflessness that Kevin exemplified throughout his years of service.
Like every year, the team are running a raffle ahead of the fundraising event. Raffle tickets are €5 each or €20 for five enteries.
This raflle has been described as being “mega”, so if you are interested in purchasing a ticket or donating you can do so via https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/KCJP
Speaking about the raffle, Organiser, Claire Moore said there are normally around 50 prizes up for grabs.
“We have 35 at the moment and there is still stuff coming in.
“Any time we approach Letterkenny and Donegal businesses, they are so positive and we are so impressed by it.
“We would like to say a big thank you to all the local businesses that, for the past 14 years, have given and never asked for anything in return,” she said.
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