Classic Fest donates €10k to worthy cause

Classic Fest was the largest vintage & classic vehicle show in Ireland again this year, and followed on from the huge success of the 2022 event.

On the day there were well over 1,000 vintage and classic cars, tractors, commercials, army vehicles, tractors and steam engines on display on the grounds of Galway Racecourse. Alongside the main attraction was live music, a food village, children’s entertainment and many trade stalls.

This year’s Classic Fest benefactor was the Parent Accommodation Fund of the Neonatal ICU Unit in University Hospital Galway, who at a recent presentation at the Oranmore Lodge Hotel received a cheque for €10,000 from event organisers Irish Vintage Scene. The Oranmore-based publishing and printing business is owned by Thomas and Pauline Heavey, who headed up the organisation of Classic Fest.

The success of this Parent Accommodation Fund means that parents of critically ill or premature babies who are not from Galway will have their accommodation needs supported during their stay in Galway. There is no accommodation available for this unit in the hospital, meaning it’s all private, paid-for accommodation that’s used. Classic Fest says the donation will help those families at this very stressful time in their lives.

The cheque was present to Dr Johannes Letshwiti, consultant neonatologist and Irene Glynn, clinical nurse manager of the Neonatal ICU Unit.