Cork Lions to get the balls rolling in aid of local charities and first responders

An upcoming Cork city event will see 12,000 coloured balls roll down Patrick’s Hill in aid of local charities and first responders.

Cork Lions Club has announced the return of Patrick’s Hill Ball Run which will take place at 2pm on Sunday, March 15.

The main beneficiaries of this year’s event will be Cork City First Responders, Glanmire First Responders, and Glounthaune First Responders.

Cork Lions is a non-profit voluntary group, fundraising in support of local charities and assisting international Lions appeals, with every euro collected going directly to charities, and club expenses being met by members themselves.

The Lions Club meets first Tuesday of each month, from September to June, in Clayton Hotel and new members are welcome.

Each of the 12,000 multi-coloured balls in the ball run is individually numbered and released from a cage at the top of Patrick’s Hill in a colourful cascade.

They are then guided down the hill and gathered in a trap at the bottom where the owners of the first six balls win a prize. Balls will be sold on the hill or can be purchased online at €2 each at https://www.corklionsclub.ie.

Cork Lions president Declan Moon said: “This is our 11th ball run and Cork Lions Club is delighted to use this year’s Patrick’s Hill Ball Run to support the Cork City First Responders, Glanmire First Responders, and Glounthaune First Responders.

“This is a great family friendly event and is one of our main fundraisers — we greatly appreciate the support of the people of Cork.”

Cork Lions Club will also be taking the opportunity to collect old glasses as part of their Recycle for Sight Campaign. This project recycles old spectacles which are cleaned, graded, and distributed at eye clinics in the developing world.

They are appealing to the public to clean out their old glasses from drawers and bring them along on Sunday, March 15.