Butcher organising 28th annual charity race at Punchestown

An award-winning butcher has helped to raise more than €1.4million for Kidney Research.

James Nolan from Co Kildare will oversee the 28th Please Carry A Donor Card Punchestown Charity Race on April 29.

A kidney donor recipient himself, James started the race in 1990 and has raised around €1.4million to date.

The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund has committed more than €275,000 to projects in the past year.

These include €150,000 to support a new renal unit at Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin and €100,000 for two research projects.

“The Carry An Organ Card Punchestown Charity race is making a big difference to so many people’s lives. In September 2017 we look forward to the opening of a brand new renal ward in Temple Street Children's Hospital for children suffering from kidney disease.  This has been one of the main projects for the PKRF over the past two years and it will be a major benefit to all the children, doctors, nurses and families that attend Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

“The aim of the PKRF is not only to raise funds but also to raise awareness and ask people to carry donor cards that are available in most pharmacies. I was so lucky to receive a transplant from my sister Catherine in 1987. She gave me the gift of life and 30 years on it is still the greatest gift that I have ever received”.