Co Kildare man given gift of kidney from his sister behind 30 years of Punchestown Charity Race calling for people to Have the Conversation
A Co Kildare man who was given the gift of a kidney from his sister is appealing for people to have the conversation about organ donation, ahead of the annual Punchestown Charity Race.
Butcher, James Nolan, of Nolan’s Butchers, Kilcullen, just over 30 years ago, turned his back on a life of dialysis after a successful kidney transplant operation, given by his sister Catherine in 1987.
Now 30 years on, the Punchestown Charity Race, Ireland’s longest running charity race, is back again.
Most of the riders will have made huge efforts to be fit enough to ride in the race, riding out every morning, learning to ride work, losing weight and generally improving their fitness. In addition, they raise a minimum of €1,500 for the privilege, which goes to the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund.
Inspired by Mr Nolan, who hails from a passionate equestrian family, he was a jockey in the race until 2002.
He won the race on Nero’s Dancer in 2002 , priced at the very rewarding odds of 50 to 1 ,
an experience he describes as one of the highlights of his life.
He said: “The message we are trying to spread is have the conversation about organ donation, noone knows God forbid when something might happen.”
Mr Nolan suffered from kidney issues throughout his child and into his early adult years, spending over 12 months on dialysis.
He is instrumental to fundraising for vital services so that people with kidney issues and on dialysis can lead easier lives.
Since a successful kidney transplant operation, life has never been better for Mr Nolan. He is married to Emma and they have a five-year-old son, Andrew James.
On Saturday May 4, former Wexford Football and Hurling dual star, Redmond Barry is back again to try and go one better than the very close second place he finished in 2016. He hopes to team up once again with English Grand National Winning Trainer Gordon Elliott to land the hugely popular “Kidney Race” which is the annual curtain raiser to the Punchestown Festival.
Also back to have another crack is Coilog Equestrian Centre’s Chris Byrne who is 61 and is riding in his sixth Punchestown Race. Isobel Wirgman – Neal is one of the youngest participants at 21 and will be riding for Jessica Harrington. It is amazing to note that Jessica has had a runner in this special race every year since the inaugural running of the race back in 1990 when she rode Banker’s Benefit.
30- year -old Ganna German who rides for Shelia Lavery will be representing The Ukraine, Michelle Brette will represent France, Maurice Mccarthy will be representing England and Patrick Lawlor will be flying in from London to take part. The one they all have to beat is last year’s popular 50 to 1 winning combination of Karen Moore and Archibald who are back to defend their title.
Meanwhile, The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund, (PKRF) established by Mr Nolan, has raised over €1.5 million in funds. This money has been divided amongst various projects to improve the quality of life of patients on dialysis, support medical research projects that help people with kidney disease and increase organ donor awareness in Ireland. A milestone project in the history of the PKRF Charity was the opening of the new Renal Ward at Temple Street Children’s Hospital in January 2018, by James Nolan’ sister and Kidney Donor, Catherine Doyle.
Also this year, the PKRF also hope to support a brand new Self Care Haemo Dialysis Facility at Tallaght Hospital, under Dr George Mellottee.
The new 28 bed facility will give people on dialysis more independence, says Mr Nolan.
Living Organ Donors in Ireland and will continue to support many other projects funded by the Charity Race.