For the first time in history eleven main car dealerships here in Donegal have come together as one team namely “Donegal Motor Trade” to participate in the first ever “Donegal International Car Push 2017” for Relay for Life.
Thursday April 20th is a date that will be forever engraved in the annals of the motoring world not just here in the North-West but throughout the island of Ireland when eleven main players sat down together in Arena 7, Letterkenny to discuss the possibility of holding this event for this most worthy of causes.
Generations of motoring politics were set aside when the i’s were dotted and the t’s crossed as a framework was agreed and signed off on to raise funds for Relay for Life Donegal.
All money raised for this year’s Relay will go to the extensive research programme presently underway at Letterkenny University Hospital for Cancer survivors. Costing in the region of €100,000 the car dealerships are hoping to raise a substantial amount with the car push.
The first ever ‘Donegal International Car Push 2017’ will take place on Thursday night 25th. May, starting at Mulroy’s Lane, Canal Road, Letterkenny.
Tensions were slightly frayed prior to proceedings getting under way which resulted in Manager Seamus ‘Barney’ O’Donnell keeping all the dealers seated in the main bar where they could be observed until the dust settled. When this did happen they were escorted into the back room, where a very mature meeting took place.
Talk of No.1’s, PCP’s, Brexit, and much more were put on the back burner however the constant bleeping of mobile phones did suggest that the majority of the dealers were being influenced by outside advisors during the proceedings.
This ‘Good Thursday’ agreement did go a long way to heal old wounds, set up new friendships and two arch rivals were referred to as ‘The Chuckle Brothers’ by the majority of those present….afterwards!
It was unanimously agreed that ‘’Winning doesn’t matter’’ however it was very obvious from body language that the leaner dealers who are gym friendly did tell on themselves by displaying that little smirk when the those who ordered a Double XL Relay for Life T-Shirt to wear at the event struggled with opinions in relation to finish times and fitness levels – enough said.
Cheating seemed to be a major item on the agenda but when one prominent dealer quipped : “we are all mature adults’’, it was moved from the first item on the list to the second!!
All agreed that Relay for Life Donegal will be the only winners and that statement did receive a rapturous round of applause. The first ever ‘Donegal International Car Push 2017’’ will take place on Thursday night 25th. May, starting at Mulroy’s Lane, Canal Road, Letterkenny.
Each dealership will get a Rally driver past or present to steer the car around the 3k course and the various garages will have their own in-house fundraisers as well as many suppliers etc having already agreed to provide sponsorship for the event.
So keep this a date for your Diary – Thursday 25th. May at 7.00pm. ( Relay for Life Donegal takes place on Saturday 27th/Sunday 28th. May at Letterkenny LYIT)
The official launch for the event took place on Tuesday of this week at Uptown Café and a sincere thanks was made to Manus Kelly for providing tea, coffee and sandwiches to everyone who attended.
When all funds have been collected one cheque from ‘Donegal Motor Trade’ will be presented to Relay for Life Donegal.
Yes, this is indeed will be an historic occasion for car dealerships in Donegal so make sure come along and support this unique event. Those taking part are Divers Hyundai: DMG Motors: Donaghey Fiat: Hegartys Ford: Highland Motors: Inishowen Motors: JJ Reids Motors: Kellys Toyota: Manor Motors: Mc Ginley Motors: S&R Motors.
