Construction workers charity match raises over €12k for Scoil Mochua

A CHEQUE for over €12,000 was presented to Scoil Mochua in Clondalkin on Wednesday morning by workers from a nearby construction site who held a charity match earlier this month. 

The workers are from the Kilcarbery Grange site, one side of which is being developed by workers from Capami, while the other side is being constructed by Grandbrind workers.

The workers have all been on site for the last four years and they stay in their own sites but decided to hold a football match against each other on December 1 to raise funds for Scoil Mochua.

The two teams were developed by Michael Smith and Ray Fenlon from Curtis and Smith Plastering on the Capami side of the site, and Liam Kearns and Edward Orr from the Grandbrind site.

The match was held in Sacred Heart FC’s grounds in Killinarden and garnered donations from the community and building suppliers who got behind the event.

On Wednesday morning, workers from Capami and Grandbrind were greeted by staff and students when they went to Scoil Mochua, a special education school run by the Central Remedial Clinic.

They presented a cheque for €12,580 to the school in an exchange that proved to be a meaningful and emotional one for everyone involved.

Michael Smith from the Capami side of the site and one of the match organisers, told The Echo: “It was very emotional, it did bring a tear to my eye – it brought a tear to most of our eyes.

“The amount of equipment they use in the school is extraordinary, because most of the kids have cerebral palsy and can’t walk, and some of them have Down syndrome.

“I’d say 60 per cent of the students in the school are wheelchair-bound.

“We were greeted by a handful of students and staff, and it was nice for everyone to put a smile on their faces.

“We were all buzzing.

“We weren’t expecting to reach the figure we did reach, and we’re so grateful to people for donating.”

Michael’s surprise at the high figure raised is heightened by the fact that the idea for the football match between the two sides of the site started off as a bit of a joke, but swiftly gained traction.

When it began to gather momentum, they received backing from building suppliers and the community and were delighted to raise money for a school near the Kilcarbery site.

Handing over the cheque was a moving experience for the workers, who Michael said all had children and so found the morning to be very impactful.

“It makes you realise how important children are,” added Michael, “and how lucky our children are.”