"Thank you for helping us on our journey back home." That was the response of Áine Houlihan-O'Shea this week, following the overwhelming show of support her family got for a fundraiser held at the weekend to help them complete the rebuilding of their home in Kildorrery which was destroyed by fire last April.

Áine and her husband Arthur managed to escape the early morning blaze with their two children, son Rían who was five at the time, and daughter Réaltín, four. They've been living in rented accommodation in Kildorrery as they set about the process of rebuilding the home they'd built and moved into just four years before. Unfortunately the insurance money they received fell short of the rebuilding costs and the cost of fitting it out again and refurnishing.

The fitness and family fun day held last Sunday at the Loreto Sports Complex in Fermoy drew a great crowd from their own village, from Fermoy and all surrounding areas and, it seemed, just about everyone in those areas contributed or helped out in some way to make the day a success.

The generosity of spirit, not to mention the financial help, left the grateful couple with a long list of people and local business to thank this week.

"The children loved the magician, Tony Baloney and we thank him sincerely for his entertainment on the day; Teresa Napier for her amazing Zumba and DJ Liam 'Bear' Keane and, thanks to face painters Grace and Christine Goulding, there were some very pretty butterflies and scary angry birds flying around! Special thanks to Kartoon Kapers for providing the very popular cartoon characters Mickey Mouse and Minnie, Doc McStuffins, Hello Kitty and Spongeblob - there were plenty of very happy faces when they made an appearance. Huge thanks to the African drumming group Nankima who provided excellent for both children and adults."

So much effort goes into organising and running such an event and Áine was also full of praise for Kathy Thornhill, Kildorrery who provided Burco boilers, teapots and home baking to go with the tea and coffee. There were those who helped out on the day, Olive Wiley who ran the coffee dock, Ellen O'Neill who took care of admissions, Áine's brother Breandán Ó hUallacháin and her dad John Houlihan who helped set up and lend a hand on the day and her mother Ann who helped organise the event.

A whole host of local shops and businesses provided spot and raffle prizes as well as supplies for the coffee dock and the couple are grateful to all. Avril And Mary Leigh were thanked for their hampers, Ian O'Brien for spot prizes and Theresa Twomey for supplies.

"Thank you to everyone who took the time to bake for us. Special thanks to Jade Kenny for all her help and finally, a very special thanks to Damien at Loreto Sports Complex for allowing us the use of this fantastic venue. We would highly recommend the amazing facilities on offer at Loreto," she said.

Áine was afraid of leaving anyone out of the couple's thanks this week as she spoke of the tremendous support they got on the day and also over the last number of months.

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