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Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Lap the Lough: Hundreds turn out for fundraiser in aid of sick children at popular Cork amenity
A fundraiser in aid of sick children saw thousands of coins lined up around the Lough in Cork city during what was a fun day out for the whole family. People flocked to the Lough to help line the popular amenity with coins in a bid to 'Lap the Lough' and raise money for Cork City Hospitals' Children's Club. The charity makes dreams come true for young patients by organising once-in-a-lifetime adventures, sending sick children on trips to Disneyland Paris, and for Santa visits each Christmas. People were encouraged to break into their piggy banks ahead of the unique charity fundraiser to help line the whole Lough with coins and the people of Cork rallied together to make it happen. Luke Thompson, Sam Goggin, Kiai Purcell and Teresa Goggin from Deerpark relaxing after helping place a coin around the Lough in Cork City for the Lap The Lough event. Picture: Noel Sweeney. Not only was a full circle of coins created, but there were sections of two and three layers of coins, thanks to those who came out to support the event which had been organised by former lord mayor Mick Finn, entrepreneur Ernest Cantillon, singer-songwriter Pat Fitzgibbon, chairperson of Cork City Hospitals' Children's Club John Looney, and Eimear McCarthy and Emer O'Mahony. Joey McCarthy from Glanmire placing a coin around the Lough. Picture: Noel Sweeney John Looney told the Irish Examiner during the event of his delight that so many came out to support the charity. 'It was phenomenal. It was 10 times more than what we ever expected it to be,' he said. 'We started ourselves at about 10am, laying the money that people donated online, so we had nearly €7,500 before we started this morning. We got about three-quarters of the way around the Lough, and then the public took over when they came. The Lap the Lough event saw children and their families place coins all the way around the Lough in Cork City in aid of Cork City Hospitals' Children's Club. Picture: Noel Sweeney. 'They came in throngs and droves. The amount of money they brought was just unbelievable, and they finished off the circle.' Mr Looney thanked everyone who was involved in making the event a success, including volunteers from the Cork City Hospitals' Children's Club and The Lough Scouts, The Lough Credit Union, the gardaí who were present on the day, facepainters and entertainers, LuLus Café and Supervalu who collected coins for the event, The Hawthorn Bar who allowed use of their toilets on the day, and all who were involved. Keegan Deasy meets Tigger at the Lap The Lough event where children and their families place coins all the way around The Lough in Cork City. Picture: Noel Sweeney Organiser Ernest Cantillon described the event as 'a big success' and said there were up to a thousand people who came out to support, including families and people who regularly use the amenity, who happened to stumble upon the event. 'We completed the lap much faster than we thought we would. People just came out of nowhere, and suddenly at 11.30am we were halfway around. At stages, we had double and triple layers of coins, so it was very satisfying, a great buzz,' he said. The coins will be counted over the coming days, and the final amount raised for Cork City Hospitals' Children's Club will be revealed. When asked if they would hold the event again after its inaugural success, Mr Cantillon said they would soon start planning for next year, and Mr Looney said he hopes it will be an annual event and one of their main fundraising events going forward.
Irish Examiner
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Lap the Lough: Fundraiser aiming to line popular Cork amenity with coins to help sick children
A unique charity fundraiser is set to take place at the Lough in Cork city this June Bank Holiday weekend. People are invited to 'Lap the Lough' with coins in aid of Cork City Hospitals' Children's Club from 11am to 2pm on June 2, creating a full circle of euro coins in a ring of hope that will help bring sick children to Disneyland Paris. The event aims to raise funds for the chosen charity, Cork City Hospitals' Children's Club, which works tirelessly to make dreams come true for young patients, organising once-in-a-lifetime adventures, sending sick children on trips to Disneyland Paris and organising Santa visits for sick children at Christmas. 'Lap the Lough' is being organised by former lord mayor Mick Finn, entrepreneur Ernest Cantillon, singer-songwriter Pat Fitzgibbon, chairperson of Cork City Hospitals' Children's Club John Looney, as well as Eimear McCarthy and Emer O'Mahony, who are on a mission to bring businesses and the wider Cork community together to support on the day. People are being asked to break into their piggy banks and bring €1 or €2 coins to the fundraiser on Monday, June 2 in an attempt to line the whole Lough with coins. Speaking ahead of the event, organiser Ernest Cantillon, said: 'Break into your change jar or piggy bank to bring €2 or €1 coins to this novel fundraiser, or you can exchange your notes or cards for coins onsite to create a ring right around the inside path of the Lough. 'We are hoping to literally surround The Lough with kindness. Whether you give €2 or €200, you're part of something magical.' Chairperson of Cork City Hospitals' Children's Club, John Looney, thanked the Cork community for getting behind the event which he described as 'the craziest we have ever done'. 'There's something very special about this event. It's about showing up, giving what you can, and doing something simple, but powerful, for kids who really need a lift,' he said. People are being asked to break into their piggy banks and bring €1 or €2 coins to the fundraiser on Monday, June 2 in an attempt to line the whole Lough with coins. Picture: Dan Linehan Volunteers, including those from The Lough Scouts and The Lough Credit Union, will be on hand on the day to direct people to their own station around The Lough, where they'll get to place the coins themselves, metre by metre, in a powerful symbol of unity, compassion, and community spirit. Those who cannot join on the day but would like to support the cause can make advance donations. Businesses, local clubs or schools can sponsor a metre of coins for €20. Businesses and organisation who would like to make a donation can email lapthelough@ or visit the dedicated Go Fund Me Page.
