The grand total of February’s ‘Trucking for Creeslough’ fundraiser has been revealed.
The truck run and auction raised €117,000, which will go directly to the families of the deceased and injured in last October’s explosion.
The event was very well supported by the trucking community from near and far.
Truckers arrive in their droves on 4th February to tour from Ballybofey to Creeslough, before gathering at the Silver Tassie hotel for a night of music, dance and an auction.
The fundraiser was organised by lorry driver Colin Kilpatrick from St. Johnston. Colin was one of the first responders on the scene moments after the blast at the service station on Friday 7th October. One of the men Colin helped remove from the scene was James O’Flaherty, who was one of the ten people that died in the tragedy.
James’ son Hamish honoured his dad’s memory by joining Colin to lead the Trucking for Creeslough convoy. This was one of the many special moments of the unforgettable day.
Colin Kilpatrick places a wreath at the scene of the explosion in Creeslough. Photo: North West Newspix
Colin said: “It was special having Hamish sitting on with me, and the welcome we got in Creeslough was very special. It was surreal. People had signs saying ‘Creeslough says thank you’ and they were very welcoming.”
The support was echoed through every town and village that the 432 trucks passed through. In Creeslough, Colin came to a stop to place a wreath at the site of the explosion.
“You hope now the families can see the support is there for them, it’s not over now, there is still support there,” Colin said.
Trucking for Creeslough Fundraiser. Saturday 4th February. Photo: North West Newspix
The €117,000 will be added to Creeslough native Gerard McFadden’s GoFundMe campaign, which is going directly to assisting the families of the victims and those who were injured as a result of the horrific accident. More than €500,000 has already been raised through this appeal, which will be formally shared out soon.
Colin has issued words of thanks to every person that joined the Trucking for Creeslough event, and everyone who helped, donated or bought items at the auction.
Colin also thanks his employer, Bernard Long, Bernard’s son Patrick and his colleague Dean Mc Laughlin for their help with the organisation of the event.
A special thanks also goes out to the gardaí for their traffic control and support, without which the event could not have taken place.
