It’s nearly two and a half years since the last Paul Keohane sports fund lunch and it’s been missed. Not just for the major contribution it makes to the funding of the Schools and Community programme but also as a day to look forward to when rugby folk meet and enjoy an occasion full of fun and memories, whilst being painlessly parted from some of the contents of their wallets, for a very good cause.
This year’s lunch at the Thanet Wanderers Clubhouse was organised by John Keohane and his fellow trustees of the fund, Gary Frame, Jimmy Green, Tony Michael and Chris Marson. Chairman of Thanet Wanderers, Chris Panteli, spoke before lunch and detailed the present situation with the Schools Fund and the hopes that the new organiser, James Green, had of expanding its reach to include autistic children. He urged everyone to support the fund as best they could. John Keohane reminded everyone of the reasons why the Fund was created and of the trustees’ hope to continue to provide a source of fitness and sports training for the young of the Thanet area which was something close to his brother’s heart. During lunch, a raffle to win a training top signed by all the Lions players on their recent tour to South Africa was held. It was lovely to see the delight of the young man, Joseph Keohane, whose mother, Julie, passed on the shirt to him after she was the winner. Look after it Joseph, it’s special.
The match against Old Colfeians didn’t end with the result most of the spectators were hoping for but there was a lovely late summer afternoon to enjoy before a return to the club for two presentations to two Wanderers who are part of the fabric of the club. Club President, Colin Whiteley, presented a certificate of life membership to the present head coach Mike Pond together with a bottle of Barolo whose vintage matched the year when Mike coached the club’s Colts to win the National Colts Cup. Mike thanked the club for conferring the honour and reflected on the past year which had been very testing due to health issues but with the help and support of his many friends he now looked forward confidently to the future. Club Chairman, Chris Panteli, then honoured Geoff Redmond by presenting him with a unique certificate as a Club Legend. Geoff, who has recently relinquished his final role at Wanderers after a lifetime of service to the club, was also presented with Club winter kit to keep him warm on the touchline.
Prav Mathema, who started his rugby journey at Wanderers, is now National Medical Manager for the Welsh RFU and was part of the medical team on the recent Lions tour of South Africa, as he has been on all recent Lions tours. He has provided the PKSF fund and the club with many items of memorabilia from these tours and the Welsh team. On this occasion, he was the recipient of a new Thanet Wanderers playing shirt, presented by John Keohane, as a token of the club’s affection and pride in his achievements.
Chris Marson then again displayed his mastery of the auctioneers’ art, and with Gary’s assistance in the art department made a major contribution to the day’s fundraising. John Keohane said a big thank you to all those who attended, supported and contributed to a very successful Paul Keohane Sports fund lunch at Thanet Wanderers. There was lots of fun, laughs and the event managed to raise just under £10k to continue investing in the community and schools programme.
Thank you, Kelly, Gerry and the catering team for an excellent lunch and the plentiful supply of liquid refreshment.
22 September 2021
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