Star support for Paul McGrath’s Golf Classic in aid of CF

19 July 2010

 

A host of well known names turn out to support Cystic Fibrosis

The sun was shining by the sea at Arklow Golf Club where soccer legend Paul McGrath hosted his annual Charity Golf Classic in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI) on Friday (16th July 2010). 

The event was the idea of young Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patient Ronan Cahill (age 10) who played a huge part in organising the day, even going as far as designing the special event logo that adorned the players clothing!

A number of personalities played on the day to support this worthy cause including soccer greats John Giles and  Ronnie Whelan, RTE sports broadcaster Darragh Moloney, boxer Bernard Dunne, rugby stars Reggie Corrigan, Shane Byrne and Shane Horgan. 

A host of other well known names including TV personalities Brian Ormonde and George McMahon, Louis Kilcoyne, Gerald Kean, actor Simon Delaney, comedian Syl Fox and The Apprentice Steve Rainer also played on the day.

All proceeds from the four ball scramble event go towards vital medical equipment needed for the Cystic Fibrosis unit in Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin.

The evening was rounded off with a fabulous four course meal in the Arklow Golf Club clubhouse with a charity auction and a brilliant night’s entertainment by musical legends Mary Black, Brian Kennedy and Don Baker and his big band.

Recently Paul McGrath was announced as a patron of CFAI, and speaking at the Golf Classic he said: “I’ve chosen to support CFAI as I’ve witnessed firsthand, through a friend, the reality of living with CF in Ireland, and why the proper facilities are so vital. If I can help in any small way to improve the quality of life for people living with CF in Ireland I’ll try my best to do so. The support for this event so far has been incredible and it promises to be a great day for all involved.”

CF is Ireland’s most common life threatening inherited disease.  Ireland has the highest prevalence of CF in the world, with 1 in 19 carrying the CF gene.  Ireland also has the most severe strain of the CF gene in the developed world.  Despite this, facilities for CF patients in our hospitals are below European standards. Today, people with CF can expect to live a near normal, full and productive life, provided that the correct facilities are in place, particularly isolation facilities in hospitals. 

Further information on the event can be found on www.paulmcgrathcharitygolf.com.