News
(The winning team - L to R - Lar Lyons, John O'Connell, Martin Bohan, Pat Delahunty)
€25,000 raised for VIVA in recent fundraisers
VIVA's fundraisers are vital in ensuring the ongoing expansion of our overseas programmes and in helping us to leverage supporting finance from bodies such as Irish Aid. Our summer events were very successful with over €25,000 raised from three events. First up was the annual Golf Classic which took place on August 7th at Tullamore Golf Club. On one of this summer's few good days, over 30 teams competed for a host of prizes with Martin Bohan's team emerging victorious. Since its inception in 2003, the event has built up a loyal following and has raised almost €50,000 for VIVA's overseas projects. VIVA would again like to thank Tony McManus for all his efforts in organising the Classic. We would also like to acknowledge the support of our main sponsors, Univet and C & M Vetlink.
Next up was Midland Showjumping which donated all entry fees (€4000) from its four summer shows to VIVA. The shows which ran on May 3rd, May 17th, June 21st and July 5th at the Sports Complex in Granard, Co. Longford are now a permanent fixture in the annual show jumping calendar. VIVA would like to thank Midland Show Jumping and in particular, Brian Gormley and Oliver Durkin, for their generous support.
Theresa Sheehy (Pat the Baker) and Brendan Mimnagh (VIVA) present the Pat the Baker Grand Final trophy to Harry Hughes
The VIVA Wheelers headed to the Burren in September for their first cycle challenge in Ireland following very successful trips to Vietnam and Morocco. Over 50 cyclists completed the 100km sprint through the Burren on what was one of the sunniest weekends of the year. Starting in Ballyvaughan, the route took the cyclists to Corofin, Ennisdymon, Lahinch, Doolin , the Cliffs of Moher and finally, a spectacularly scenic finish along the coastal route to Ballyvaughan. A dinner in the Hylands Burren Hotel capped what was a perfect day. The event will raise over €16,000 for VIVA's livestock projects overseas and due to its success it is hoped to make this an annual event moving around Ireland each year to a different venue. This will complement our overseas cycle challenges. VIVA would like to thank our sponsors, Sioda Interiors (Dundalk) and Paddy O'Donoghue of Veterinary Instruments Ltd, (Ballyvaughan). We'd also like to thank the members of the Burren Cycling Club who accompanied us on the route. The event was organised by Irish Cycling Safaris. To register your interest for future VIVA Wheelers events contact mike@viva.ie
