The first batch of face masks were recently presented to Angelina Nugent of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation (MRHF ) at the Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA ground, by the organisers of the Kilmovee 10k.
Some 4,000 face masks were donated to the MRHF following an online appeal for donations in a bid to raise funds to purchase 10,000 masks for front line workers.
The Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation like a lot of charities have been hit hard in fundraising activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic, securing these masks for their care givers will ensure that they can continue the care of their patients safely and without having to find extra funds to purchase these small but critical pieces of equipment that is much needed in the front line.
Thanks to the generosity of the supporters of this year's cancelled event, an anonymous donor and local start-up online store iamwizzrd.com who also donated 1,000 masks bring the total to almost 14,000 masks which will be finding there way to care workers and other Front line workers over the next few days.
Race Director John Roddy said: "The whole thing was a bit of a whirlwind" as he explained how the idea to bring face masks to critical front line workers was put in to action the idea was presented to me on the Sunday before the race was due to start.
"The Kilmovee 10k was due to take place on Easter Saturday, April 11 but was cancelled due to the unprecedented circumstances we are all experiencing with Covid-19 and to raise 10,000 masks by the scheduled start time which was equal to a mask a meter something poinient about that, we are delighted to be able to offer almost 14,000 masks now, thanks to the generosity of our great supporters, we are also delighted to contribute to the MRHF, who have been our charity partner over the past 10 years"
On behalf of all of the Kilmovee 10k Team "A huge thank you goes to all our supporters, nationally and internationally, the local community for their continued support and to all the front line workers, who selflessly put themselves in danger each time they go to work thank you."
John summed up by saying "we're in this together and we will get through this together, stay safe keep your distance and we'll all be having a cuppa and a bun at the end of next year's 10k in Kilmovee next Easter."
