Tipperary councillor shows support for Irish Heart Foundation calendar

Well-known East Clare Photographer James Treacy has produced a new agricultural calendar in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation.

Tipperary North Fine Gael County Councillor William Kennedy was the first public representative in Tipperary to purchase the calendar, at the Nenagh Agricultural Show.

James is a fundraiser, a professional photographer and videographer based in Scariff, Co Clare.

This is his sixth calendar he produced for charity in Ireland.

He has fundraised on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society, Saint Vincent de Paul, Clare Haven, The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Cooperation North during the troubles in Northern Ireland, The Simon Community in the form of poor box distribution, The Samaritans, Live Aid in 1985 led by Bob Geldof.

He also fundraised for the Irish Heart Foundation while in National School in Scariff in the form of a Skipton in 1986.

James is a member of the National Union of Journalists and works frequently with all the National Print Media in Ireland.

His business came to national attention when he co-produced two short films for RTÉ One Television for the Peoples Angelus.

James is a regular attendee at the Garda College in Templemore and attends all the passing out graduations for An Garda Siochana as a photographer for the print media and his photos regularly appears in multiple publications.

The calendar is for 2027 and 2028 with both dates on them.

He says: "I bulk produced them and I wouldn't have them sold by 2027 and they go out of date very fast".

"I produced a 2027 this year and I raised almost €2,700 for the Irish Cancer Society and I am hoping to do the same again for the Irish Heart Foundation".

James told us: "I sold the Irish Cancer Society Calendars in Offaly, Clare, Limerick, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Laois, Kildare, Mayo and Tipperary. In Tipperary I sold the last batch of calendars for the Irish Cancer Society in Nenagh, Thurles, Tipperary Town, Birdhill, Newport, Borrrisokane, Cahir, Carrick on Suir, Cashel and Clonmel. I even sold a calendar to legendary 1980's Tipperary Hurling Star and Publican in Cashel Pat Fox".

James said: "Both the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation do tremendous work. As current trends state 45,000 people will develop cancer this year and the Cancer Society gives free confidential advice to anyone affected by cancer dealing with almost 10,000 phone calls annually".

In relation to the Irish Heart Foundation, he says: "Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in both men and women. The tragic reality is – around 16 people in Ireland will have a heart attack today and around 20 other people will have a stroke. But 80% of early heart disease and stroke cases are preventable”.

There has never been such a demand or need for more services and the Irish Heart Foundation is pumping a lot of our resources into supporting online exercise classes, dietary information, counselling services, nurse support services, social events, and regular calls to our members. As the Irish Heart Foundation is almost entirely funded by public donation we are indebted to your kindness, without the support of the public we would be unable to fund our life-saving programmes."

James said he is hoping to have a mobile health unit for the Irish Heart Foundation to come to Limerick, Clare and Tipperary to various sites in the new year but we are booked out until December. They do a quick health check free of charge such as blood pressure checks etc.

Councillor Kennedy said: “I have a monthly direct debit set up with the Irish Heart Foundation and all my family on my father’s side have been affected by heart disease.”

He said: “I fully understand the need to look after heart health and we want parents to live long enough to see their children mature.”

If you want to purchase the calendar, it costs €20 delivered anywhere in the world including packaging and postage, for more information, email James on [email protected] or telephone 061 921470 or 086 057 2216.