The Youghal Cycling Club were delighted to present the fundraising cheque to the Keith Phelan Appeal recently. The charity fundraiser cycle from Youghal to Castlemartyr was held last October. The funds will aid local boy Keith Phelan from Raheen Park, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, to travel to Germany for an operation, in the hope that it will improve his quality of life. Photo: www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

The Phelans are attempting to raise enough money to bring Keith to the XCell-Center Dusseldorf, Germany where they believe he could benefit from stem cell treatment. Following inquiries to the centre they were informed that Keith had a number of options: surgical or lumber puncture (where cells are withdrawn from the hip bone marrow, good cells are retained in the lab where they regenerate and are reinserted by lumber puncture). It takes five days to complete the procedure.

An account for the fund has been set up through the Allied Irish Bank and the family is already busy planning ways to make the campaign successful.

To donate to the fund: Sort Code: 93-43-05, Acc. No.: 05841087. To contact to assist in fundraising or organise events, contact: 024-20843.

A great night had by all who “walked the line” to the Mall Arts Centre. John Schmid was in top class form as he sang his way into the hearts of all those in the audience! Practically everyone joined in the chorus of “Ring of Fire” and in between songs, John gave insights into Johnny Cash’s life and background to his songs.

John’s latest album was recorded at the Cash Cabin and John told us that there is a vault that contains enough material to keep a recording studio busy for the next 10 years! However, the evening belonged to Keith Phelan (the main beneficiary of the concert) and John got to meet Keith (and his parents) before the concert started! Conversations, craic and laughter flowed on in the foyer of the MAC after the event and signs are if John returns to Youghal in 2012, people will be delighted to come and hear him again! Till the next time, we “walk the line”.

A charity cycle organised by the Youghal Cycling Club, from Youghal to Castlemartyr and back was held on Sunday October the 17th in aid of local boy Keith Phelan from Raheen Park,whose family have launched a campaign to raise funds to send their 11 year old son, Keith, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, for an operation in Germany, in the hope that it will improve their son’s quality of life. Photo: www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

The Phelans are attempting to raise enough money to bring Keith to the XCell-Center Dusseldorf, Germany where they believe he could benefit from stem cell treatment. Following inquiries to the centre they were informed that Keith had a number of options: surgical or lumber puncture (where cells are withdrawn from the hip bone marrow, good cells are retained in the lab where they regenerate and are reinserted by lumber puncture). It takes five days to complete the procedure.

An account for the fund has been set up through the Allied Irish Bank and the family is already busy planning ways to make the campaign successful.

To donate to the fund: Sort Code: 93-43-05, Acc. No.: 05841087. To contact to assist in fundraising or organise events, contact: 024-20843.

A beautiful bright October morning greeted the 60 or so cyclists who met at Barry’s Lane and the main man himself Keith got proceedings underway with a photoshoot before waving the cyclists off on the outward journey to Castlemarty.

A foodstop was made at “The Village Greengrocer ” in Castlemarty with the Walsh family pulling out all the stops by offering the cyclists some of the finest homemade apple pie and scones that East Cork has to offer.

The Club and the Phelan family would like to extend their thanks to clubman John Walsh and his family for opening their premises on a Sunday morning and accommodating the charity cycle with their fantastic hospitality.

Refulled and a tad heavier the group took off for the homeward journey back to Youghal with the wind at their backs.There to greet the cyclists was Keith and his family and with a couple of photos for the local media,three rousing cheers were given for young Keith.

Click Here to visit the Youghal Cycling Club Website.

More photos from charity cycle on the clubs Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Youghal-Cycling-Club/243784613767?v=photos#!/album.php?aid=239838&id=243784613767&page=3.

Following the recent launch of the Keith Phelan Appeal a group of local ladies decided to the kick start the campaign and help in the fundraising activities for Keith and what better way than by participated in the Evening Echo Women’s Mini – Marathon in Cork last Sunday, 26th September. Report: Michael Twomey Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com
Email: news@youghalonline.com

The Phelan family from Raheen Park, Youghal, have launched a campaign to raise funds to sent their 11 year old son, Keith, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, for an operation in Germany, in the hope that it will improve their son’s quality of life.

The Phelans are attempting to raise enough money to bring Keith to the XCell-Center Dusseldorf, Germany where they believe he could benefit from stem cell treatment. Following inquiries to the centre they were informed that Keith had a number of options: surgical or lumber puncture (where cells are withdrawn from the hip bone marrow, good cells are retained in the lab where they regenerate and are reinserted by lumber puncture). It takes five days to complete the procedure.

An account for the fund has been set up through the Allied Irish Bank and the family is already busy planning ways to make the campaign successful. “We are hoping that people can donate directly, help us with our own fundraising or hold events themselves.” Tony said.

Youghal Credit Union has already supported the fund and should be one of the many agencies in the town to lend its weight to the campaign. No certainties have been given by the XCell-Center about the degree of change that might result from the treatment, or indeed how quickly the signs of improvement will begin to show. That won’t stop the family from trying everything for Keith. “There are no guarantees that the treatment will work or what way Keith might progress. Anything at all that could change one of these things would be great,” Tony added. If Keith’s positive demeanour and welcoming smile is anything to go by then he has every chance of success.

One small step for Keith could be one giant leap for his family.

To donate to the fund: Sort Code: 93-43-05, Acc. No.: 05841087. To contact to assist in fundraising or organise events, contact: 024-20843.

The Phelan family from Raheen Park, Youghal, have launched a campaign to raise funds to sent their 11 year old son, Keith, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, for an operation in Germany, in the hope that it will improve their son’s quality of life.
By Michael Twomey | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

When Tony and Mag Phelan of Youghal were given the news 11 years ago that their son Keith had suffered a bi-lateral Grade 4 Hemorrhage in premature birth, they could be forgiven for reacting with confusion.

It’s not the news a family expects or wants to hear, or can immediately understand. It meant that Keith’s quality of life would be severely restricted. His Dad explained. “He can’t walk, he can’t sit up,  he can’t dress himself, he can’t feed himself, he can’t write; his future is a computer.” Keith is quadriplegic (all four limbs are affected), suffers epilepsy and has Cerebal Palsy (permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation).

Now, following a chance viewing of a programme on TV3, the Phelan family, including Keith’s sisters, Kelly and Lyndsey and brother, Dean, has started a campaign to help Keith improve on his limitations. The Phelans are attempting to raise enough money to bring Keith to the XCell-Center Dusseldorf, Germany where they believe he could benefit from stem cell treatment. Following inquiries to the centre they were informed that Keith had a number of options: surgical or lumber puncture (where cells are withdrawn from the hip bone marrow, good cells are retained in the lab where they regenerate and are reinserted by lumber puncture). It takes five days to complete the procedure.

An account for the fund has been set up through the Allied Irish Bank and the family is already busy planning ways to make the campaign successful. “We are hoping that people can donate directly, help us with our own fundraising or hold events themselves.” Tony said. Youghal Credit Union has already supported the fund and should be one of the many agencies in the town to lend its weight to the campaign. No certainties have been given by the XCell-Center about the degree of change that might result from the treatment, or indeed how quickly the signs of improvement will begin to show. That won’t stop the family from trying everything for Keith. “There are no guarantees that the treatment will work or what way Keith might progress. Anything at all that could change one of these things would be great,” Tony added. If Keith’s positive demeanour and welcoming smile is anything to go by then he has every chance of success.

That strong personality shows itself in his school; Bun Scoil Mhuire, Youghal, where he has just started 5th class. “We are delighted he is going to mainstream school. He was really looking forward to going back as he said, ‘to meet all my friends’ and that does your heart good to see kids gather round him. There’s no bad feeling,” Tony remarked with pride. Keith also goes for various therapies at Enable Ireland, regularly.

Both Mag and Tony are all too aware of what a small change could mean to their son.“He would like to be able to do what his brother does. He watches us play football. Sometimes when the ball hits the chair I’ll say – that’s great defending, Keith!” Tony smiled. Help them to help Keith help himself. One small step for Keith could be one giant leap for his family.

To donate to the fund: Sort Code: 93-43-05, Acc. No.: 05841087. To contact to assist in fundraising or organise events, contact: 024-20843.