Chamber 'Clash for Cash' event to aid Accessible Counselling Tullamore
The enduring legacy of a late stalwart of Tullamore and District Chamber of Commerce has inspired the business group to host a major fundraiser for the local mental health charity, Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT).
‘Clash for Cash’ is an innovative sports themed fundraiser which will involve clubs from all over Offaly and surrounding areas, the President of Tullamore and District Chamber of Commerce, Anthony Hanniffy explained at its launch on Monday last.
The event will take place in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Saturday, September 14, at 7pm.
A number of clubs have already signed up to take part in the fundraiser and organisers will be contacting more clubs over the coming weeks, explained Mr Hanniffy.
He said the event had been inspired by “our late, great former colleague, James O’Connor” who founded ACT.
Mr Hanniffy said it was very important for local businesses, clubs and societies to row in behind the event. “There are very attractive sponsorship packages also available and all the funds will go to a very excellent and worthy cause.”
The Ferbane native revealed that a large number of clubs have already signed up for ‘Clash for Cash’ and he thanked them for what he termed “taking a leap of faith.” He outlined that ACT has assisted around 2,200 clients to date from every corner of the Midlands.
Speaking to clubs gathered at the launch in the Tullamore Court Hotel, Mr Hanniffy said “there is no doubt that the charity has already assisted your members.”
He continued: “This event will assist the charity and also assist yourselves as frontline defenders of better mental health.”
The Chamber chief said it was vital that the community at large also supported the fundraiser. “You don’t know the future time that you or your family may need this service and it may be the difference between life and death if you can or can’t avail of the service.”
Mr Hanniffy recalled that he and the late James O’Connor had joined the Chamber around the same time and sat on a number of sub-committees together.
“He was very generous with clubs and societies in the area. I recall that when Offaly got to the U20 football All-Ireland in 2021 we made a decision we would kit the town out in the county colours, and James generously donated the funds to make this happen. He recognised that, while we were in the depths of depression with Covid, the All-Ireland final was a way to take people’s minds off the pandemic and give them something to hope for.”
Mr Hanniffy added: “He recognised that our clubs and societies do remarkable work in helping people’s mental health, like most things the best cure to illness is prevention. James recognised that and showed his support.”
Mr Hanniffy said when the Chamber looked at ways of honouring James they decided that it was best to try and preserve the legacy in the great charity that he and his wife, Lisa founded. “The core principle for us was to bring everyone together the charity, the clubs and societies and the Chamber to come up with an event to promote better mental health. I think that we have achieved this with Clash for Cash.”
ACT Director, Ronan Berry, who acted as Master of Ceremonies at Monday’s launch, predicted ‘Clash for Cash’ would be the best night seen in the Tullamore Court Hotel for a long time. He said ACT was very appreciative of the work of the Chamber and all the various voluntary groups and individuals who fundraised for it.
Mr Berry said the organisation planned to expand its services and fundraising was vitally important to it achieving this goal.