Table quiz for wheelchair soccer team raised more than €7,500
Leon Doyle and Cathal Briscoe, two members of the Wexford FC's powerchair football team, with their fathers Noel and Thomas during the fundraising table quiz in the Seven Oaks Hotel Photos: michaelorourkephotography.ie
THIRTY tables of quizzers put their knowledge to the test last Thursday night in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow for a very worthy cause.
The table quiz was in aid of the Southeast Wheelchair Soccer Team, of which local player Leon Doyle is a member. Leon attends Delta Day Care Centre and is also an active member of the Wexford FC wheelchair soccer team, through the FAI’s ‘Football for All’.
The team is currently fundraising for six specially-adapted sports powerchairs, which are required for competitive play. The cost and shipping of the chairs from the USA is €80,000 so there’s been a huge collective effort to help the team achieve their dream of playing powerchair football at a competitive level and becoming a leading team in the southeast.
Leon’s parents Noel and Tomoko organised last week’s table quiz and were thrilled with the huge response.
“It was excellent, a great turnout with 30 teams on the night,” said Noel. “We’ve also had huge support from local businesses, who supported with spot prizes for the raffle and made donations. Between everything, we have almost €7,500 …. we had great support,” said a delighted Noel.
Noel also thanked the Seven Oaks Hotel for its incredible support and to everyone who came along on the night, including a number of Leon’s teammates and their families from Wexford.
“The response has been amazing; we need to raise €80,000 for the six chairs, including transport costs, and at this stage we are about 70% to 75% there. We are so grateful, and Carlow didn’t let us down,” added Noel.
To help the team on that final push, the GoFundMe is still taking donations at www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-purchase-adapted-sports-powerchairs.
