Barrington Tag Days collects record amount for ALS research

Nearly 150 volunteers in and around Barrington collected a record $17,270 during the Les Turner Foundation’s Tag Days drive Friday and Saturday.

This year’s effort surpassed last year’s local collection of $16,500 to support medical research, patient services and educational activities related to ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The event was done in honor of 47-year-old Paul Launer of Barrington — an athlete diagnosed with ALS in June 2011 who now has limited use of his hands, legs and speech.