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GAA stars join together for Keri
20.07.11
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
A QUARTET of Donegal and Derry GAA stars took time
out of their busy training schedules ahead of last
Sunday’s crunch Ulster Final to help a young blind
girl on a mission to achieve sight.
Nine-year-old Keri Kelly, from Buncrana, has been
blind since birth with Optic Nerve Hypoplasis but a
€30,000 stem-cell operation in China could allow her
to see for the first time.
Oak Leafers Gerard O’Kane and Eoin Bradley teamed up
with soon-to-be victorious Tir Chonail duo Michael
Murphy and Ryan Bradley to lend their support to
Keri’s Search for Sight campaign, which has raised
almost €20,000 since it began last month. |
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Donegal and Derry GAA stars meet Keri
and her mum Tracey at the Scarvey. |
The high-profile Ulster
GAA stars met up with Keri in bright sunshine at
Buncrana’s Scarvey pitch, where they heard the young
Scoil Iosagain pupil sing a beautiful rendition of
her favourite song, Tomorrow, from the musical
Annie.
Delighted to support an ‘amazing girl’, the players
gave Keri a few private words of encouragement
before wishing her all the best on her life-changing
journey with hugs and handshakes.
The bubbly Inishowen girl is only able to
distinguish the difference between light and dark.
Mum Tracey said she has been overwhelmed by the
support shown to her daughter.
“We just can’t believe it. Everyone has been so good
to us and we are so grateful to the Donegal and
Derry GAA guys who have raised the profile of the
campaign even further,” she said.
Organiser of the event, Peter McLaughlin from
Donegal Signs, a local business which donated €500
to Keri’s Search for Sight, explained how it came
about.
“My wife Catherine is a cousin of Gerard [O’Kane] so
she asked for some support for Keri’s campaign. He
and Glenullin clubmate Eoin were only too happy to
help out while the Donegal players have been
brilliant too,” he added.
To support ‘Keri’s Search for Sight’ log onto the
campaign page on Facebook. Readers can also donate
money to a special bank account in Buncrana: account
number 06593158, sort-code 93-72-90. |
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