JT McNamara fundraiser launched The point to point to be run on October 27 in aid of the J.T. McNamara Fund was launched at the Dunraven Arms in Adare, Co Limerick yesterday evening as an estimated 250 people attended and an individual cheque for €10,000 was added to the account. RTE's Ted Walsh was amongst the panel for the launch which also included jockey Derek O'Connor, trainer Enda Bolger, equine artist Peter Curling, photographer Liam Healy and rugby's John 'Bull' Hayes. Tom Busteed was MC for the evening and regional point to point secretary Frankie Ward stated “I couldn't believe how many came for what was a launch.” She added “to see their support must have been uplifting for the McNamaras and I'm sure they felt a lot better after the evening.” “I think the event itself will be the biggest point to point ever held in Ireland and it looks like being a once in a lifetime thing. People are making enormous efforts and every single thing for the meeting is sponsored, right down to the loos; if someone wants to sponsor the winning post they are welcome to it! “We have always received entries from around the country for Lemonfield's point to points and we've already have interest from people from the North; the four year olds' maiden should be a mighty race.” She added “Peter Curling is running of the emergency fund and has done fantastic work getting everything sponsored and last night we received a €10,000 cheque from (Rathbarry Stud's) Paul Cashman, himself a former amateur jockey who would have done battle with JT many times in the past. Paul recently got married and asked for all presents at his wedding to be donated to JT's fund.” The Stonehall Harriers are also hosting a dance for the fund on the night of the point to point, at Limerick Racecourse. Also in attendance on the night was Marian Toomey, mother of Limerick jockey Brian Toomey who continues to recover from a serious head injury incurred in a fall at Perth in July. She spoke briefly regarding her son's progress, reporting his memory to be returning slowly but surely.
