Newtownforbes brave hearts Shave for the Brave
Elaine Reilly and John Gerard Mimnagh, shaved their heads as part of a very special fundraiser in Newtownforbes recently for the Irish Cancer Society.
The January Blues were well and truly blown away in amazing fashion in Newtownforbes on Saturday the 2nd of February by a blast of true Longford bravery.
Two brave local souls, Elaine Reilly and John Gerard Mimnagh, shaved their heads as part of a very special fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society. The very public shave of one John Gerard Mimnagh who has had his long hair since his teenage years and of Elaine Reilly whose long locks fell to her elbow, made this a big sacrifice but one they were happy to make for one of the hardest working charities in Ireland.
Joined by their families and friends who travelled from all over Ireland, the night was the culmination of two and a half months of fundraising, with two Ladies Donate and Buy nights - one held in Newtownforbes in December and one held in Carrigallen in January - several Darts Nights held in McGowans Pub in Newtownforbes, two Cards Nights held in MJ’s bar and Mitchells bar in Carrigallen, an Anne Summers night held in Holy Blue Hair Salon in Drumlish and donations from The Dolls House beauticians in Ballagh from treatments given on Feb 1 was brought to its hairless end on Saturday in McGowans in Newtownforbes.
The shaving itself was handled by the willing professional hands of Annette Flaherty, owner of Holy Blue Hair Design, Drumlish, who offered her services for free as did the DJ Ken Kerrigan. With Gerry McGowan providing the venue at no cost and with a donation and the food was supplied free of charge by little bites owned by Laura Geelan.
The whole event from start to finish was full of fun, emotion, music, prizes and a positive driven will to publicize the good work this society undertakes, as well as collect a few quid for them!
As we are all in some way touched by cancer everyone dug deep and the total raised is €7,000 and with promised donations and collection boxes still to be delivered the total is set to increase further.
If you would like to donate to Elaine and John Gerard’s Shave for the Brave go on-line to “mycharity.ie” select “sponsor a friend” type in Elaine Reilly and donate any amount form €2 up using Debit or Credit Card. You can also donate via the sponsorship cards that are in local shops and pubs in Newtownforbes, Carrigallen or Drumlish. Or, you can always make contact with Elaine or John Gerard and their Families and make a donation directly with them.
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Thursday 23 May 2013
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