29/10/2026
What can one say about a day like Wednesday 28th October, only "wow". Together we celebrated the Kiely family and the wonderful contribution they made to the Déise Day Centre . Doloros contaced the Centre 3 weeks ago to let us know that she was doing a fundraiser selling "Bracelets for Benny" and all monies collected would be going to the Day Centre. Benny joined the Deise Day Centre family in 2024 when Haleon subsidised an event in the Park Hotel for us and he made many new friends and caught up with old ones. Many memories were made and Benny told his family what the Day Centre meant to him and that he hoped in the future to volunteer his time and effort with us. Unfortunately at the start of this year and after a short illness Benny passed away. Doloros and Benny's family, with his strength, through their grief, arranged a fundraising walk in aid of the Solas Centre. They had also got these beautiful bracelets that they were seliing to raise money for the Day Centre. Doloros, Jack, Michael and all the Kiely family raised a whopping €10,000 for a new van for Meals on Wheels for the Day Centre. As Doloros prepared to present the cheque to the Centre we also had a surprise in store for them. We had purchased the van and personalised it so that the new van in our midst would be know as "Benny" and would be delivering Meals on Wheels and bringing members home and working for the Day Centre for a long time yet. We shared afternoon tea, sandwiches, hot food, cakes and most impoirtanly drank tea, tea and more tea. We sang and danced into the evening in honour of our wonderful Benny and the Kiely family. We made memories and also lifelong friends. A day not to be forgotten. There are no words to express the feelings felt today and the thanks we have in the Centre for the life of Benny and the Kiely family.