Pictured are members of Portlaw Heritage Group presenting a cheque for €2,000 to Colette Quinlan and Fionnoula O’Shea representing the SECF/ Solas Centre building fund on behalf of Portlaw community. | Photo: John Power
The Solas Centre, the brainchild project of the South East Cancer Foundation (SECF), has received a further cash injection – this time from the generous people of Portlaw.
A cheque for €2,000 was presented to the SECF by members of Portlaw Heritage Group, which has grown into one of the most active groups of its kind across the county.
Waterford Hospice, a cause close to many hearts, also received €500 from the proceeds raised by the ‘Fair in the Square’, which was recently held in Portlaw.
The weather was kind to the organisers at the second time of asking, after the annual event had to be rescheduled due to poor conditions on September 14th, the original date set for the Fair.
Two weeks later, under a clear sky and a welcome autumnal sun, great crowds flocked to the Tannery Town, with the Portlaw Pipe Band getting the event underway.
With Pilot Conway (of Iverk Show fame) on hand as MC, the Fair couldn’t have had a better microphone-wielding overseer.
On a day packed with stalls, music and a superb photographic exhibition courtesy of Carrick-on-Suir Camera Club, the presence of Portlaw’s new Irish Red Cross branch attracted considerable interest.
The group, established earlier this year, carried out a demonstration in resuscitating a heart attack victim, which greatly impressed the large onlooking crowd.
SECF representatives Colette Quinlan and Fionnoula O’Shea were also in attendance and both thanked the local fundraising committee and volunteers for “making such a great effort for such a worthy cause”.
Senator Paudie Coffey, a member of the Heritage Group described the Fair as a great success, providing all in attendance with a most memorable day.
“It really showed the old town at its very best and proved what volunteerism and effort can do for a community,” he said.
“Portlaw should take a bow,” said one of the many who attended the Fair, raising welcome monies in so doing for two great Waterford causes. “It is well deserved.”
