Trucking for Donegal: Lorry drivers to unite again for worthy causes

Truckers will gather en masse in Raphoe next month for a major fundraiser in aid of two needy causes. 

Trucking for Donegal, on February 8, will raise money for Raphoe Community Playgroup and the Donegal Hospice.

The event follows on from the Trucking for Creeslough truck run in 2024.

The brainchild of experienced lorry driver Colin Kilpatrick, the team has reassembled for their next mission.

Truckers will leave Raphoe at 3pm, going through Convoy towards Kilross before veering onto the N13 and travelling through Drumkeen, onto the Dry Arch Roundabout. From there, the convoy will make its way out the dual carriageway to the Manor Roundabout and back to the Clanree Hotel, where a dance and auction will take place from 8pm.

Last year, the St Johnston man led a convoy of 432 lorries at Trucking For Creeslough, an event that raised a staggering €117,000 for the Creeslough explosion fund.

“I said I wouldn’t do it because last year took a lot out of me,” he says. “But when the people approached me about doing it, I thought it would be a good idea. The same team is still behind me and we’re hoping to have another successful event for two very worthy causes.”

His four sons have all benefited from the Raphoe Community Playgroup and his youngest boy still attends presently.

The playgroup, first set up in 1982, currently caters for 40 children, but that figure is expected to rise to 50 in the autumn.

Last year, it was confirmed that the building on Castle Road, constructed in 2000 after a mammoth fundraising effort in the area, had defective concrete blocks.

With the playgroup classed as a commercial building, the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme does not cover it. Half of the children are now being catered for in the Volt House with the others in a prefabricated building at the playgroup site.

Colin says: “The community built it and it was the same families who first built it who the responsibility is on again. 

“Hopefully we can raise a good amount to give them a lift. They had funding in place for an extension but the cost of their current situation means that money is getting smaller.

“They’re making the best of what they have at the minute, but it’s a disaster for them really and they need a new building.”

The Donegal Hospice will also benefit from the proceeds of Trucking for Donegal.

“We have experienced first hand the brilliant work the Hospice does,” Colin says. “They’re two different ends of the age scale and both need a lot of help.”

A big night will take place in the Clanree Hotel after the truckers park up from the run.

Paul Kelly and Band with Paddy Tracey and Karl Kilpatrick will kick off the event, followed by JD Disco, with admission €15 for the dance and auction, which will be hosted by Tony Morning.

Some top prices have already been donated, including: A  rally experience with Cloghan driver Damien Tourish before the Donegal International Rally; model lorry number 145 of Decky Holian’s Volvo; a selection of lorry sketches; an A4 commission of choice artwork from Eleanor Duffy; a whiskey barrel; half a pig butchered to you liking from Glenside Bacon Company; two tonne bags of firewood and a bottle of Jameson; 1,000 litres of ad blue fuel; a €250 voucher for Wild Atlantic Camp; hi speed 1/10 scale remote controlled racing car; a €250 voucher for work carried out by Led Lighting; a €300 voucher for A&C Components; round bales of silage; and other cash donations and vouchers. 

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Colin says: “We want more prizes, even the smallest thing people might have laying about the house would be gladly appreciated here.”

An entry for the truck run costs €30 with tickets for the dance and auction priced at €15.

For further information, check out the Trucking for Donegal Facebook page or Contact Colin on 085-1059155.