Crusaders € 40k boost to Nano Nagle
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Wednesday February 03 2010
FORTY-NINE participants and €20,000 raised — Gordon Flannery's presentation of a cheque for that sum to the Nano Nagle special needs school exceeded all the expectations he harboured when forming the Kerry Crusaders in memory of his late brother Howard early last year.
With up to 70 members and 49 taking part in the Dublin City Marathon, the Kerry Crusaders of 'Howard's Way' were delighted to provide the vital school with the massive boost on Friday.
The proceeds will now go towards the provision of an occupational therapist and the possible construction of a greenhouse to provide for a Nano Nagle stall at the Listowel Farmers' Market in the future.
All of it a testament to the potent memory of Howard Flannery, the Ennis man who had founded the Clare Crusaders, erected a special needs school and made an adopted home for himself in Listowel prior to his tragic death in a road accident outside his native town.
"That's what it was all about really and we were delighted to mark Howard's memory in this way," Gordon told The Kerryman. For all the good work it has done for the students at the school, the Kerry Crusaders has done as much for the overall fitness of the town. Starting prior to the Summer, it quickly grew into a weekly social gathering and fun way to get fit.
"We're about three things. To get our bodies fit, to make friends and to raise money for children and teenagers with special needs. It's completely free and you certainly don't have to be fit to take part. In fact I encourage people who are not fit to start as we've loads of different routes for different levels and we take things slowly," Gordon explained.
The Dublin marathon is again on the radar for 2010 and all are invited to start training — even if they've no desire to do the marathon — which takes place from the Community Centre on Saturdays at 9am and Wednesdays at 7pm each week.
