Interview: Wexford couple fundraising for mission to the Arctic Circle

We sat down with Catherine Kennedy and Tom Murphy about Sightsavers Ireland’s First Light for Sight expedition which will see them and other volunteers travel to the Arctic Circle…

Every year, dedicated volunteers travel to the Arctic Circle as part of a fundraising effort for Sightsavers Ireland. The ‘First Light for Sight’ expedition involves an adventurous group travelling to Kilpisjärvi, Finland for an arduous week of snowshoeing, skiing and sledge pulling in subzero temperatures. The volunteers trek across miles of snow in extreme conditions to witness the first sunrise of the year.

Founded by Sir John Wilson in 1950, Sightsavers is a multinational organisation that seeks to prevent avoidable blindness. They estimate that over 1 billion people worldwide have a visual impairment that could be treated or prevented. Working with their partners across the globe, Sightsavers has committed itself to providing lifechanging eye care to millions. Since its inception in 1950, Sightsavers has carried out over a million cataract operations.

When Catherine Kennedy found herself at risk of losing her own sight, she realized she had to join the fight. And her partner Tom quickly realized he’d be joining it too.

Catherine: “Last year, I had nine months off work with vision problems. I had an autoimmune disease that affected my muscles, and I was at risk of losing my sight. So, I attended the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin and I had twelve weeks of steroids and two weeks of radiotherapy. Through their care at St James’, Luke’s and the Royal Victoria hospital, my sight improved. To say thanks to them, we decided that both of us would do the Arctic challenge. That’s the background to why I’m doing it and sure Tom can’t say no to me anyway (laughs).”

With thousands to raise, Catherine and Tom have launched a series of fundraising efforts that include table quizzes, bingo nights and raffles. Tom also held his 50^th birthday party in Marty B’s pub in Killurin and dedicated the event to raising funds.

Catherine: “We’ve done table quizzes, Tom had his 50^th birthday fundraiser. Even at that, we are at about 38% of the 100% needed. We have a giant fundraiser now over the August bank holiday weekend. We have a ‘Boozy Bingo’ in The Cuckoos Corner in Taghmon on the Friday. During the Fleadh, myself and Tom are raffling three art pieces that were donated. We have a permit from Wexford Garda station and permission from the Fleadh committee to be in the Fleadh selling our tickets.”

While coordinating these fundraising efforts is no small feat, their biggest challenge has yet to come. In January 2026, the pair will travel with a dozen other volunteers to Kilpisjärvi, Finland where they fill find themselves in bitterly cold conditions learning survival skills.

Catherine: “I would take it quite seriously. Tom wouldn’t. I wanted to go down to the beach and pull tires behind us and Tom was like ‘Ah, don’t be cracked’. I’m with the Wexford Hill Walking Club so that’s where I get my training in. We’re trying out different things. We’re doing a bit of kayaking, rowing. Tom is mentally going to keep me going out there, I think.”

Tom: “It’s only a mental challenge, you know what I mean? You put one foot forward after another. That’s the way I look at it, anyway.”

Catherine: “That’s the attitude I’m travelling with (laughs) hence why I’m going with him. To be honest, I’d have cold feet most nights and I don’t know how the hell I’m going to survive out there, but I will. As Tom says, we’re going to do it.”

Tom: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a once in a lifetime chance, isn’t it? I know it’s going to be tough but sure, every day is tough if you let it get in on you.”

Tom has even gone as far as recycling plastic bottles he and his coworkers find in bins around the Irish National Heritage Park where he works as a member of the maintenance crew. While the pair have been incredibly hardworking and persistent in their fundraising efforts, Catherine and Tom are quick to recognize the valuable contributions and huge support they have received from their community.

Catherine: “We’re not the only two fundraising. We have family members constantly throwing in money. We have friends that have donated. It’s a lot of fundraising in a small area. That’s why we’re reaching out with the Fleadh.

There’s one guy in our local pub – Seamus Welsh is his name – that has taken on the challenge of fundraising with us. Down in Marty B’s, he is doing a darts tournament. Marty Butler who runs the pub has never charged us for the lounge. He still throws fifty euros into the bucket. There’s people coming along to our table quizzes who not only pay in but bring along something for the raffle. They’re giving every time we go to their door. There’s lots of people helping us is what I’m trying to say.”

Tom: “Paddy McCray in The Cuckoos Corner, he’s helping out as well. You’d be humbled, actually. And the boys in the Heritage Park with the bottles. John Somers is a right one at it. He never walks passed a bin without looking in it. I got 99 euros last night from the bottles.”

Catherine and Tom’s ‘Boozy Bingo’ night in aid of their Arctic Fundraiser will take place on Friday August 1^st at 7pm in The Cuckoo’s Corner in Taghmon. Marty B’s in Killurin will also be hosting their draw on Sunday August 10^th at 10pm where pieces by local artists will be raffled off on the night. These include a handcrafted wooden harp and wooden pikeman by local artists Cathal and Martin O’Rourke as well as a painting of Hook Lighthouse donated by Angela Murphy.

You can learn more about Catherine and Tom’s mission on the Sightsavers website here and here.

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