Soccer Referee Charity Fundraiser raises over �14,000
A Family Fun Day initiated by the Kerry Branch of the Irish Soccer Referees raised over �14,000 on behalf of the �Make-a-Wish� foundation and last Saturday at the Kerry District League Grounds at Mounthawk Park, Tralee.
Michelle Byers from �Make-a-Wish� described this as an absolutely fantastic amount and probably the highest donation ever received by the Charity from an independent fundraiser.
All the members of the Kerry ISRS and their wives, led by Chairman Seamus O�Mahoney and his wife Siobhan, have been heavily involved in organising this year�s event, which was far bigger in scale than their first fundraiser last year.
A triangular soccer tournament was held between the Irish Soccer Referee Society Branches of Kerry, Cork, and Limerick for the Pat McConnell Sponsored Trophy, and was greatly supported by the Limerick West branch who officiated the games. All the teams and their wives supported the fundraising in their areas as well as on the day.
There were bouncy castles, face painting, a petting zoo from Petmania Tralee and the Tralee Fire Brigade brought one of their engines to the event for the children. Light refreshments were kindly provided by Subway Tralee, and the event was supported by the Imperial Hotel, �Kare 4 Kids� and Nottingham Forest FC player Brendan Moloney, formally of Killarney Athletic.
A special presentation was made to Killarney Celtic Youth team 2011 Munster Champions and FAI Youth Cup Finalisists. Manager James Hurley also won the Crossbar Challenge and a signed Ireland Shirt.
The Soccer Tournament was won by Cork who beat Kerry on a penalty shootout, but the real winners will be the children between the ages of 3 and 18 with life threatening conditions whose wishes and dreams can now be helped to come true.

Make-A-Wish in Ireland has one simple aim - We grant the wishes of children aged between 3 and 18 years living with a life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.  Find out more about Make a Wish Foundation