Long Time Asthma Society Fundraiser Passes Away

Billy Forde R.I.P. Recently, Billy Forde, Chairperson of the Arklow District branch of the Asthma Society of Ireland sadly passed away. At the inauguration of the Arklow & District branch of the Asthma Society of Ireland in 1983 Billy was first voted in as Public Relations Officer. Working tirelessly Billy eventually became Chairperson of the local branch in 1988, a position which he held until his recent passing. As a person with asthma, Billy was well aware of the suffering and discomfort faced by anyone with the condition. During his 26 years with the branch Billy hosted and organised numerous events which would help people with asthma in Arklow both directly and indirectly.

From 1988 onwards Billy was responsible for organising adult and children swimming activities for people with asthma in the local sports and leisure centre twice a year. He was also responsible for the running of a very successful junior talent contest where the winners went on to represent Wicklow in the national final in Mosney Co. Meath.

Billy campaigned tirelessly over the years in an effort to establish better facilities in Arklow which would benefit all those with asthma. Some of these facilities included the setting up of an indoor heated swimming pool and the Primary Healthcare Unit, both of which were established in the last ten years. Billy was also active in many other committees of the local community. He sat on the committee for helping to restore the old section of St. Gabriel’s Cemetery and he was instrumental in the setting up of the Arklow Youth Marching Band and the Inbhear Mor Marching Band. Billy was also an involved member of the Alzheimer’s Committee. His door was always open to anyone looking for help in setting up organisations to better the lives of the people in the Arklow Community in some way. This tireless effort was recognised wholly in 1993 when Billy accepted the civic award from the Arklow Tidy Towns Committee in recognition of the Asthma Society of Ireland’s Arklow branch’s outstanding community service over the years.
In recent months , Billy successfully helped to fundraise enough money to purchase two defibrillators, which he presented to two local secondary schools; Arklow Community College and The Christian Brothers Secondary School. The success of this fundraiser has made a huge difference to both schools and especially for the prevention of death and serious illness as a result of heart problems during strenuous sports activities.
Billy consistently kept the Arklow and District Asthma Society branch running, helping it grow from strength to strength through his tireless fundraising events. Some of these to name but a few included: the Stars in Your Eyes contest, the Flag days, the coffee mornings and the Christmas raffle, all of which generated enough money to fund the previously mentioned Branch activities.
Billy Ford’s dedication throughout his lifetime to the Arklow community has been exceptional. His achievements contributed extraordinarily to the benefit of the Arklow Community. He will be sorely and most sadly missed by branch members and the town of Arklow itself.

The Arklow and District Branch of the Asthma Society are hoping to follow Billy’s fine example and continue to fundraise and organise events to help people with Asthma through out the community.