FRIEND'S OF ARLENE RAISE A WHOPPING £10K!!
04 Feb 2010

The legacy of Arlene Donnelly was truly honoured recently when a massive cheque for £10,000 was presented to Newry Hospice in Arlene’s honour. Arlene sadly lost her battle to cancer in August 2009. A popular girl in her many walks of life Arlene’s particular contribution to the camogie world in her beloved Ballymacnab will long be remembered and it was a small band of loyal camogie friends of Arlene’s that spearheaded a hugely successful fundraising campaign in Arlene’s honour. The two main people behind the initiative were Paula McGuigan and Una Kearney, both club mates of Arlene’s and both who had shared many happy day’s with her around camogie fields across the county and the country. Supported by members of the St Brenda’s Ballymacnab Club and others, a tremendous testament to the popularity and high esteem with which Arlene was held was marked with a fantastic total of £10,000 being collected for a very worthy cause in Arlene’s name and a centre that cared for Arlene so well in the final stages of her illness- St John of God Hospice, Newry.

The main event of the fundraising initiative was a very enjoyable dance in Ballymacnab Hall in October where an auction was also held. The Hall was packed to capacity and the generous audience and the many who were unable to attend on the night but who made their contributions were not found wanting. Another event that contributed to the impressive total of £10,000 was a collection taken during the Ulster Club final between neighbouring club St Patrick’s Keady and Lavey which contributed over £200 to the total.

Thanks are extended to the Ballymacnab Hall Committee especially Gerard McClelland and Harry McKenna who were brilliant during and in the run up to the dance night. Those who made donations on the night for auction or raffle are also extended sincere appreciation:- Adrian McGeown, James McArdle, John Merry, Geraldine McGeown, Nan & Charlie Doyle, Mone Fuels, VP Mones Keady, Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan, Yvonne Morgan-Fernaloy Sports, Damien Smyth- Hillview Furniture, McParland’s- Max-Tex, Ann Loughran & Explore Newry, Frank & Maureen O’Toole, Paudie Beagan, Seamus & Renee McKenna, Veronica Mc Garvey, Armagh Bloom, Caoimhe McGuigan. Thanks also to Centra Keady who provided sandwiches on the night.

Thanks are also extended to all those who sold tickets, worked on the night and who helped out in any way.

The team of helpers who did so much towards this success were Sarah McClelland, Louise Loughran, Michelle McGuigan, Caoimhe McGuigan, Colleen McGuigan, Christopher Loughran, Laura McBirney, Michaela King, Dee McGeown, Mark Nugent, Seamus Loughran, Michael McGuigan, John Digbin, Stephen McGuigan, Declan McClelland, Brian McClelland and Gareth Watters and to Philly Gribben and Brendan Woods who provided the music.

Thanks are also extended on behalf of Arlene’s brother Seamus for the clothes recycling collection in Ballymacnab and sponsorship sheet collections towards the Vietnam Trek.

And finally a big thank you to the many people who came to the dance night or who bought tickets or made contributions and all the Camogie clubs who attended on the night and sent donation even though they were unable to attend the dance. You have all honored Arlene’s memory with the pride and dignity and she deserved. Thank you.

The chief organizers of the fundraising initiative- Paula McGuigan and Una Kearney are to be commended for their excellent achievements. Well done to both.

Newry Hospice is a place that no-one wants to ever need but is also a place that provides the highest quality of care and attention to those that sadly do come to need it. The empathy and support offered by its caring staff and volunteer workers brings so much comfort to the patients and families that cross its doors. Arlene’s times in Newry Hospice whilst being times of difficulty and illness were also times of comfort, caring and support provided by a group of professionals that deserve the highest plaudits possible. This fundraising initiative, whilst marking the legacy of Arlene Donnelly is a small thank you to the staff of Newry Hospice for the excellent care they offered a brilliant patient, a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, niece and fiancé and a great friend.