15th annual Sam Bennett memorial Run
The proceeds of this year’s Sam Bennett Vintage Memorial Run will go to ‘Rang Carrig’ in Carrigallen Vocational School, which has been in operation for the past 10 years.
The 15th annual charity run, organised by Ballinagh and District Vintage Club, will take place this Saturday at 12 noon from the Community Hall in Ballinagh. Registration commences at 10:45am in the carpark adjacent to the hall.
Mary Harte, a special needs assistant (SNA) from the school said the facility attracts students from a wide catchment area including as far as Ballinagh, Killeshandra, Arva and into west Cavan. In addition to the usual special education format, courses are also provided in life skills, cookery classes, woodwork and home economics.
“We recently attained some new buildings and they have to be kitted out – the funds raised by the Vintage Club will be most welcome,” she said.
Mary has been working there for 20 years and there are 11 SNAs employed in the school. The principal of Carrigallen Vocational School, Declan Conboy, along with Pauline Daly co-ordinate the delivery of services, care and education to ‘Rang Carrig’.
Cllr Winston Bennett, a relative of the late Sam Bennett, said the proceeds this year are going to an excellent cause. “As someone who is a parent of a child with special needs, I an well aware of the great work that is taking place in the Rang Carrig in Carrigallen Vocational School. I would ask people to support the cause on Saturday and every cent collected will go to the betterment of the facility”.
Phil McGauran also told the Celt that, as a parent of pupil who attended the class in Carrigallen, he could not speak highly enough of the excellent service provided.
Practical skills such as shopping, using public transport and other activities enhance the life skills of the students considerably, said Phil.
Sam Bennett was a founding member of the Ballinagh and District Vintage Club. Established in 2007, the club seeks to bring people together who share a passion for vintage vehicles.