Unveiling the new beach wheelchair at Marble Hill this week, thanks to the generosity of the Órla Memorial 5K fund: Cathaoirleach Gerry McMonagle, Sinead Trearty, Michael McGarvey of Donegal County Council, Cllr Adrian Glackin, Carolynne Harrison of The Shandon Hotel, Gert Eksteen of The Shandon Hotel, David Friel of Donegal County Council and Bryan Cannon of Donegal County Council with the family and friends of little Órla Trearty.
A new beach wheelchair has been unveiled at Marble Hill thanks to the generosity of the Órla Memorial 5K fund.
Speaking at the ceremony Sinead Trearty, mother of little Órla who passed away almost ten years ago when she was just a year old thanked all the people who have supported the Órla Memorial 5k over the years.
“We have raised over €60,000, providing help to the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, the Jennifer Trust, for SMA and local paediatric physiotherapy services. We are now delighted to sponsor the beach wheelchair to Marble Hill beach and hope that it will go some way to help those with reduced mobility to access the beach and surrounding areas. Órla passed away almost 10 years ago and I know she would have loved to see this happening.”
Sinead also thanked Donegal County Council for facilitating the initiative and the Shandon Hotel for its help in providing a home and safekeeping of the beach wheelchair.
Sinead Trearty speaking on behalf of the Órla Memorial 5K fund at the unveiling of the new beach wheelchair at Marble Hill.
Cathaoirleach Gerry McMonagle thanked Sinead and the Órla Memorial 5K fund for the gift.
“On day like today when the sun is shining and we are all enjoying this lovely summer weather, we take for granted that everyone has the opportunity to visit the beach. But that is not always the case. Unfortunately if you have mobility issues or are a wheelchair user then going to enjoy the beach is just not an option. But today with this wonderful gift from Sinead and her family and the Órla Memorial 5k fund it will now be possible for those in need of a wheelchair or with mobility issues to visit Marble Hill beach and enjoy one of the most beautiful places in Donegal. This is a lovely way of remembering little Órla.”
This is now the fourth beach wheelchair available in Donegal, with others available at Rathmullan, Downings and Carrickfinn.
To book use of the wheelchair at Marble Hill, just contact the Shandon Hotel at 074 91 36137.
The beach wheelchairs can also be booked at Rathmullan by calling Aengus Kennedy at (086) 812 3019, Downings by calling Downings Tidy Towns on (087) 6152351 and Carrickfinn by contacting Donegal Airport at (074) 95 48284.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)