Tullamore Lions Club launch Parkinson's fundraiser

Tullamore Lions club is running a major fundraiser for the Offaly Branch of Parkinson's Ireland which includes a Golf Classic and a Raffle.

The fundraiser will get underway this Saturday (April 20) when members of the Lions Club will be selling raffle tickets in the Bridge Centre in Tullamore throughout the day. Tickets are priced at €5 each, with a full card also available at €100 each.

The club has gathered a huge array of valuable raffle prizes for their fundraiser, including hampers, a Sahara barbeque, gaming work station, a voucher to the value of €500 for Galvin's Menswear and a Bean Ui Cinneide painting.

Raffle tickets can be purchased on Saturday in the Bridge Centre, and they are also available from members of Tullamore Lions Club and in a number of selected outlets in the town.

All funds raised from the raffle and the Golf Classic will stay within Offaly.

Parkinson’s disease (Parkinson’s) is a progressive neurological disorder, and is classified as a movement disorder, as it primarily affects movement. It is estimated that there are approximately 15,000 people living with Parkinson’s in Ireland and it is the fastest-growing neurological condition.

Only last week, Parkinson's Ireland warned that its services are at risk due to the low level of State funding.

The support charity currently receives €70,000 a year, which amounts to just 10% of its overall income. They have pointed out that other neurological charities receive over 50% of their income from the Government.

At the moment they are facing a deficit each year of €160,000 to continue to operate a free Parkinson's disease support line, staffed by two nurse specialists and a part-time dietitian.