“Sadly, the effects of Covid-19 have not only destroyed my business, but my entire income, and my livelihood.” Those are the words of Sean Kilkenny, a father-of-two, who has devoted his life to the enjoyment of working and caring for his forty horses together with his family.
He said the mental impacts of the welfare on forty equines daily has reached an “all-time high” and has “left me in a place that I now turn to the greatest of people to help me get back on my feet”.
€50,000 target
The Clare native, who owns Sean Kilkenny Carriages, Trekking and Equine Services, has created a GoFund Me page with an aim to raise €50,000.
“On a short-term basis, we need to get back on our feet and secure our family home as well as the future of my animals,” explained Kilkenny on his fundraiser page.
On a long-term plan, he wishes to create an entire education and training centre. Kilkenny’s objective is to preserve, protect and promote traditional ways of life from “our past to the present and for the future of all our children, together with mental health and wellbeing around the fire of hope”.
Support
He is calling on the public to “help us on our way to get back to who we were”.
“I am here since last March trying to feed 40 animals on a PUP payment. Everyone has turned their backs on my animals, especially over government,” he explained in a video.
“Our house is gutted and homeless; everyone knows that, and it has left our family in a bad place. I am still here by this open fire every day to try to survive, boil water and cook to keep down every expense.”
“In thirteen days’, time, we have lost our tenancy on the estate, and we now have nowhere to go with these animals. So, how much help can we get now is what we need to know?”
“We do not want a handout; we want to be lifted up a little bit. The only way we want to be lifted up is to be able to pay our rent and insurance and care for our animals the way we used to.”
“Not with two people here trying to look after forty horses. It is not possible, and anyone who has horses knows it is not possible. I thank everyone who supports me, my horses and my ideas! We are very proud people. I am very grateful not only for your support but to be blessed that one year on, I still stand with 40 forgotten horses.” he concluded.
Further information
See Sean Kilkenny’s GoFundMe page here.
