Fr Ted event halted

Weather turns milk float push sour

Claire Egan

INCLEMENT weather conditions called a halt to the first ever Fr Ted milk float push last Wednesday morning as organisers were forced to pull the plug the novel event following the advice of An Garda Síochána.
Mayo-based participants in the ‘Ted 40’ were scheduled to push the iconic Fr Ted milk float from Castlebar to Foxford in a bid to raise funds for Down’s Syndrome Ireland and DS Northern Ireland.
The fund-raiser has been running since January 20 and will conclude on February 28 at Kinvarra, Galway with ‘Ted Fest’ kicking off the next day.
However, heavy rain and poor visibility left organisers and the Gardaí with little option but to abandon the event in the interests of health and safety.
“It was a terrible day for the ‘push’ and having considered the implications for those participating and for road users it was on the best advice of Gardaí that the event was called off. However, those who were involved in the Castlebar to Foxford leg will take part in the final leg of the journey,” explained Mr Padraic Delaney of Down’s Syndrome Ireland.
The unique campaign involves pushing the milk float of Craggy Island fame around Ireland, taking in Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Galway from January 20 to February 28 with ‘Ted Fest’ kicking off in Inis Mór, Co Galway the following day.
Corporate groups will push the float along each leg of the journey, accompanied by a team of collectors and a local DS patron.
Westport-based company, Connamarine who were primed to push the float last Wednesday morning will now take part in the final leg of the journey.