Heather the Heifer's Big Day

A Story of Community Spirit: Heather the Heifer Raises €8,500 for Relay for Life Kilkenny

It was an exciting day at The Mart Kilkenny today as the businesses of Cillín Hill finished their fundraising for Relay for Life Kilkenny with the much anticipated auction of Heather the Heifer.

When the staff of the Cillín Hill businesses decided to take part in Relay for Life, they decided to raise money through the purchase of a calf or heifer to raffle at the event. Christy Comerford was approached and asked if he would sell them a suitable animal for raffle. As it happened, Christy and his wife Marguerite had reason to attend St Luke’s County Hospital with one of their daughters and were met with such kindness that they agreed that if the opportunity came by to help out others in some way they would do what they could. This generous spirit led them to give a pedigree Charolois heifer by the name of Knockmahon Heather free of charge. On behalf of the Relay Teams, he kept and fed Heather, even bringing her to The Mart to help encourage the sale of raffle tickets, with the family even selling tickets themselves. 

On 21^st July the draw took place at the Relay for Life event. Paula Stapleton, member of the Relay Team said, “Approximately €6,000 was raised by the Cillín Hill businesses and staff and the heifer was won by Thomas and Eileen Nallen of Banagher, County Offaly. They requested that they would like to redonate the heifer to be auctioned and raise further funds.” The Comerford family continued to care for Knockmahon Heather until the auction on the 3^rd of October.

With great anticipation, auctioneer and Relay Team Member and event emcee George Chandler took to the podium and in front of the huge crowd started the bidding. “The commission charges have been waived for the sale of the generously donated Knockmahon Heather, with every bit raised will be going to Relay for Life,” said George Chandler from the podium. The beautiful pedigree heifer was sold for €2,000, all of which will be donated on top of the €6,000 raised through the sale of raffle tickets. Volunteers were also on hand collecting donations during the action, with farmers charitably contributing a further €492 to the cause.

Christy, Marguerite and their two young daughters, Collette and Cynthia were happy that Knockmahon Heather, who had become a part of their family would be staying in the parish.  John Murphy of Clara is the new proud owner of this Pedigree Charolais heifer! The Cillin Hill Businesses Relay Teams would like to thank everyone involved for their generosity.