A Laois soccer supporters club has made a sizeable donation to a local charitable organisation.
The Laois Leeds United Members Club recently presented the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital with a cheque for €500.
The club was formed back in 2007 and has more than 50 members.
Friends Of Portlaoise Hospital is a small voluntary committee established in April 1991 to improve patient care in Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise.
Their main aim is to help provide the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise with much needed supplies and medical equipment.
Before Covid, the Laois Leeds United Members Club regularly orgainsed trips to Elland Road to see Leeds play and also hosted a number of events in Portlaoise.
Notable guests of the Laois club in the past have included Peter Lorimer, a Leeds star of the 1960s and 1970s, and Fabian Delph, now with Everton.
Another highlight was the visit of the Leeds squad to Portlaoise, when they called into Kavanagh’s while they were over for a pre-season game.
While Irish and Laois legend John Giles has attended many events in Portlaoise over the years.
Speaking about the donation, club secretary and All Books owner Colm O’Hara, explained how usually they select a charity to which the proceeds from a table quiz go.
And although that quiz will not go ahead this year, Mr O’Hara said they wanted to do something to help those in Portlaoise Hospital.
He said: “Every year, we would run a table quiz in aid of some local charity – but obviously that table quiz won’t happen this year.
“However, we’ve being hearing stories about the great work going on up in Portlaoise Hospital and how they have dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic and everything that goes with it.
“A couple of our members work in the hospital too so we, as a club just wanted to say thanks in some way.
“We weren’t sure what would be the best way to go about it so we spoke with the Friends Of Portlaoise Hospital.
“And then we came up with giving a donation of €500 from the club to them.”
SEE ALSO – Laois man named Ladies Football Volunteer of the Year and given Lulu Carroll Award
