The Knights of Columbanus in Athlone have raised more than €35,000 for Fr PJ Hughes’ Building projects in Equador, one of the most disadvantaged countries in the world.
In the last few weeks, Fr PJ has been putting the finishing touches to the new school. He had a new roof put over part of the playground where children can now eat their lunches in the shade. A new library will be put in place in time for the official opening of the school in November. This year’s fundraising activities raised more than €7,500 and included the Tony Parker Foundation Fund.
The foundation was set up in 2007 after the sudden death of Tony. The aim of the foundation is to raise awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, and also to raise funds to buy defibrillators for schools, sports clubs, the community, and other organisations. The organising committee included Ignatius Lynam, Breda Fitzpatrick, Tom Allen, Fr Turlough Baxter, John G Buckley, Eamon Cassells, Rory Quinn, Sean Quilty, Padraic Dunne, and Ciaran Temple.
