On the 31st October 2016, Oliver Walsh at Flowerhill Equestrian Centre in Co. Galway, Ireland is holding a charity ride in aid of the Leacarrow Benevolent Fund, Co. Roscommon, Ireland.

With this campaign  you help Oliver to raise money for the Leacarrow Benevolent Fund.

This is truly a charity that gives at a grass root level and helps people when it is really needed, and we ask that you help us support this wonderful cause by donating.Click on the green buttonDONATEand choose one of the payment options below.

What does the Fund do?

All money raised from this (and other) event goes straight to the community/parish. Great care is exercised in choosing worthy recipients and typical items that receive funding are: travel expenses and petrol vouchers for people undergoing treatment for very serious health conditions, the purchase of expensive medical aids for people (usually children) with special needs, financial support for individuals with an illness wishing to travel to Lourdes, occasional financial assistance to individuals in need and the purchase of Mass cards and Mass bouquets for the sick and recently bereaved.

Who does the Fund support?

Lecarrow Benevolent Fund celebrated its tenth birthday in 2012.

As well as the funding activities above, the fund has also supported many local, regional and national charities. Some of the caring organizations that have benefitted (in no particular order) are:

Western Alzheimers, Simon Community, St. Vincent dePaul, Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Roscommon Friendly Call Service, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Mayo / Roscommon Hospice, Brothers of Charity Services (Monksland), The Wheelchair Association, Lourdes Assisted Pilgrimage Fund, Croí – The Heart Foundation, The Jack & Jill Foundation, Roscommon Hospital Patients Comfort Fund, Lourdes Invalid Fund, Mentally Handicapped Association, The Carers Association (Roscommon), Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, Knockcroghery Senior Citizens, St. John’s Christmas Party, Rahara Senior Citizens, Richmond Intensive Care Unit at Beaumont Hospital, Fr. Brennan’s Mission to Brazil and the North Kildare Ride in aid of Barretstown Fund.

Other local organizations to benefit have included Knockcroghery Fair, Lecarrow Girl Guides, St. John’s New Cemetery Committee, St. John’s Parish Heritage Group, Knockcroghery/Rahara/ St. Johns Community Games, Lecarrow Development Committee & Tidy Towns, Roscommon Hunt (for charity sponsorship), the Memorial Stone at St. John’s Church, Lecarrow Coffee Morning and St. John’s Community Centre.

The fund has also donated 5 defibrillators to the local parish.

How does the Fund raise money? 

Since 2002 the Fund has been actively engaged in raising money for good causes and putting it back into the community. Fundraising ventures, included pony rides, clay-pigeon shoots, raffles, an annual auction, open-days, dog agility and dog shows, archery demonstrations, kick-ball competitions, fun and fancy-dress nights, have all been used to encourage support and these events have taken in more than €150,000 in just over a decade.

The Fund has always received generous support from the local population and has also worked in co-operation with Roscommon Hunt. Lecarrow Clay-Pigeon Shooters and Lecarrow Lazers Cycling Club (amongst others) to gather funds for benevolent causes. None of this would have been possible without the support and dedication of the individuals who make up the executive committee of the Fund. In fact, during its entire existence the total number of people involved has never included more than fifteen to twenty individuals, all volunteers.

After a decade of community service and following a very successful annual fundraiser in 2012, Lecarrow Benevolent Fund decided to erect a traditional hand-pump in Lecarrow village as a "thank-you" to everyone who has supported the Fund over the years. In addition the Fund has part-funded the erection of four heritage-signs in the parish, which greatly improve the tourism infrastructure in the area.

The good work of the Fund continues in 2016. After a very successful auction and fundraising draw, the committee look forward to further acts of kindness this year and in the years to come.

Thank you for your donation!