A young Co Clare woman whose father and uncle received life saving kidney transplants will ride in a charity horse race at the Punchestown Races tomorrow.
Sarah Costello is one of 22 jockeys who will ride before a crowd of more than 30,000 spectators in the prestigious event.
It marks a major milestone for the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund (PKRF) Charity Race, as it is set to exceed €2 million in total funds raised.
The charity horse race was first staged in 1990 to raise funds for kidney projects as well as to raise Organ Donor awareness in Ireland.
It is organised by James Nolan from Kilcullen, Co Kildare, who received a kidney transplant 37 years ago from his sister, Catherine.
"I've been so lucky to be given the chance of a new life, since my kidney transplant in 1987. There are 600 people on the waiting list here in Ireland for a kidney transplant," Mr Nolan said.
"There are over 2,500 people languishing on kidney dialysis, but we also have 2,800 living successfully after organ donation," he added.
Last year 185 kidney transplants were carried out across the country.
Ms Costello, from Quin near Ennis, said she is really looking forward to the race and raising awareness of organ donation.
"My father, Dermott, received a kidney transplant in 2020, after four years on dialysis and my uncle, John, also received a kidney transplant.
"I visited the Dialysis Unit at Tallaght Hospital last Wednesday, and it was an eye-opener. We got to see first hand the benefits people on kidney dialysis get from the fundraising," she said.
"Kidney donation is something very close to my heart. It has been part of our family now for some years- first with my dad, and then my uncle. We're big into horse racing as a family, so to get this chance to fundraise for kidney transplants and take part in a race at Punchestown is fantastic.
"We are raising awareness of how important and life-changing organ donation can be. I'm encouraging people to say yes to organ donation and have this conversation," Ms Costello added.
