IT WAS an emotional occasion last weekend when John and Gaby Kelly, parents of the late women’s health campaigner Vicky Phelan, were presented with a portrait of her painted by a Limerick artist.
Artist Aoife Carroll donated her portrait of the late Vicky to the Benny McNamara memorial tournament raffle, which was held on St Stephen’s Day, in aid of Limerick Suicide Watch.
In the last four and a half years, charitable group ‘Thumbs Up For Benny’ (TUFB) raised just under €17,500 for Limerick charities.
TUFB was founded by friends and family of Benny, who tragically lost his life to suicide at the age of 25. Every year on St Stephen’s Day TUFB organises a charity football tournament, along with other events in his memory.
Magella McNamara, one of the organisers, told the Limerick Post: “A lot of money for good causes has been raised in his name.”
Artist Aoife Carroll painted the portrait of the late Vicky Phelan as part of a series of portraits of remarkable Limerick people, which also included JP McManus and street entertainer and accordion player Tom McNamara.
The portrait was donated to the TUFB fundraiser – which raised €1,200 for the charity – and the organisers offered it to a major donor.
The anonymous donor generously suggested the artwork could be gifted and Vicky’s family were contacted.
TUFB organisers travelled to Tralee, where Vicky’s parents live, to hand over the picture.
