Comfort for Chemo Charity Evening at the Dogs

Lee Strand has joined forces with Comfort for Chemo Kerry for this year's annual Lee Strand 550 night at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on May 26.

The support of Lee Strand will allow Comfort for Chemo Kerry to generate much needed funds with all admissions, auction, raffle, restaurant bookings and other monies raised on the night going directly towards the charity. The event will be a fabulous evening at the stadium with something for everyone and there are several ways to support this wonderful cause.

Speaking at the launch of the event, Gearoid Linnane CEO stated, “Lee Strand continues to support one of Ireland’s most prestigious races, the Lee Strand A3 550 at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium. Our long-standing sponsorship of this race spans over four decades and we are delighted to welcome back a charity element to our event. This year our chosen charity is Comfort for Chemo Kerry, all proceeds raised on the evening will all be donated directly to the charity. It promises to be a great evening out for everyone while supporting a wonderful charity in our community.”

In addition to the racing action, every- one will be kept well entertained with MC Billy Keane to take us through the night. Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Gent will be judged on the night by fashion stylist Danny Leane with fabulous prizes for both. Plus, there will be an auction on the night with some fantastic items up for grabs and lots of chances to win in the raffle, which has been very generously supported with prizes from local businesses. There will also be a family aspect to the night with entertainment for all ages with lots of novelty events with face painting, bouncy castle, music after racing and Mighty Mikey Milk from Lee Strand will be at the stadium to meet the younger ones.

Tickets are available at the entry gate, costing €10 and kids are free. The first race of the night goes off at 7pm with doors open at 6pm. Table bookings for the restaurant can be made either by e-mailing info@comfortforchemokerry. com or on 089 2240357.

Pictured at the launch of The Lee Strand 550 – Comfort for Chemo Evening at the Dogs and getting ready to celebrate with their Lee Stand Milk are Declan Dowling, Kingdom Greyhound Stadium; Mikey Sheehy and Mary Fitzgerald, Comfort for Chemo Kerry; John O’Keeffe, Teresa Walker and Gearóid Linnane, Lee Strand.

Know Your Rights

How to change your name

You may change the name you commonly use by simply adopting a new name. However, you will probably experience some difficulty proving the change to both public and private bodies without a document referring to the change.

A deed poll is a signed declaration that binds you to a particular course of action from the date of signing. It is most often used to declare an intention to change your name. A deed poll for a change of name contains declarations (in other words, ‘a sworn statement’ or affidavit) that you:

-Are abandoning the use of your old name

-Will use your new name at all times

-Require everyone to use your new name

What do you need to do if you want to change your name after marriage? There is no legal obligation on anyone in Ireland to change their name when they get married. You may change your name after marriage for tradition or cultural reasons. You may, for example, want to show you have joined a new family and therefore take the new name - but this is just a social or cultural choice with no legal basis. If you change your name when you marry, you do not need to execute a deed poll. Most organisations will accept your marriage certificate as evidence of your name change.

What do you need to do if you want to change your name after separation or divorce?

You may want to revert back to your maiden name after separation or divorce. It is likely there will be several organisations you need to contact to update your personal details, for example, your bank, your employer, the Motor Tax Office, your healthcare provider. Every organisation will have different requirements so check what is needed to complete the process. You usually will have to provide a valid form of identification and certified evidence of your previous name. You may need to provide a certified copy of your separation agreement or divorce decree.

Is there a need to change your name by deed poll?

The advantage of changing your name by deed poll is that you then have documentary evidence that you have changed your name. This, along with your birth certificate, is acceptable for most administrative procedures and provides an easy and inexpensive solution to most of the difficulties that can arise when you change your name.

If you changed your name when you married, you do not need to execute a deed poll as you have your marriage certificate as evidence of your name change.

How do you carry out a deed poll?

Carrying out (or ‘executing’) a deed poll is a relatively simple process. You can get a solicitor to do it or you can do it yourself.

First, you declare that you have given up a former name and adopted a new name for all purposes. You then sign the deed poll in the presence of a witness. The witness must also swear an affidavit (called an affidavit of attesting witness) in the presence of a solicitor or commissioner for oaths.

British citizens are not required to obtain a change of name licence to change your name by deed poll. However, you may be required to provide a letter from the Department of Justice stating that you do not require a change of name licence.

How do I ensure there is recognition of my new name?

Your name change does not necessarily need to be supported by any documentary evidence although evidence is often needed for a wide range of administrative and legal matters.

Government bodies and services (for example, Revenue or the Passport Service) may need proof of your new name. Each body may have their own requirements for verifying the change. Some ask for a copy of the deed poll, others ask for an enrolled copy, and some may need ‘proof of usage’ of your new name with documents dating back at least 2 years. You should contact any relevant organisations or bodies to check what their requirements are.

What is the cost of changing your name by deed poll?

There is a small fee to have the affidavit of attesting witness sworn before a commissioner for oaths or a practising solicitor. There is no fixed rate of charges for legal fees, so you should ask in advance for information on such charges. If you enrol the deed poll in the Central Office of the High Court, you will have to pay stamp duty of €60.

For anyone needing information, advice or have an advocacy issue, you can call a member of the localCitizens Information team in Kerry on 0818 07 7860, they will be happy to assist and make an appointment if necessary. The offices are staffed from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Alternatively you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www. citizensinformation.ie for further information.