Kathy’s prayers come through as she wins car for wheelchair bound brother

By Maurice Garvey

A WOMAN from Walkinstown who won a Renault car on the Late Late show, doesn’t drive but wanted to help her wheelchair bound brother.

Kathy Shine, the Late Late Show viewer competition winner, prayed to her deceased mother in a bid to secure the car for her brother Mike, who is stricken with MS.

The prayers came through, and Kathy won a brand new Renault Captur worth €20,000 from 200,000 entries.

Whilst she does not drive, Kathy wanted to win in order to sell the car, so that her brother Mike, could update his disability van.

Speaking to Ryan Tubridy after the win, an emotional Kathy, accompanied by Mike and his wife, Joan, said she was lying in bed watching the draw for the winner.

“My mother died 20 years ago but I still have her around me, and I said, Mum, I am begging you please let him pick out my card so I can give the car to Michael to update his disability van.

“When you pulled out the card and said Kathy I thought, Oh no. Why has someone called Kathy won it and then you read out Kathy Shine, Walkinstown.”

Mike thought he sister somehow managed “a fiddle” and looking heavenwards, asked his mother to “send her in to buy the lottery tickets.”

He was diagnosed with MS when he was 29 and while medication has helped the disease go into remission for 20 years, it re-emerged with a vengeance.

Joan gave up her job to look after Mike full time at their home in Galway.

Renault very generously gave Mike an extra €5,000 to help to kit out his current van to make it suitable for his needs.

Karla Clifford, Renault Ireland Brand Communications Manager; “We were all delighted to see such a selfless and generous person winning the Renault Captur giveaway. Renault Ireland wish Mike and Kathy the best of luck in the future.”