A FUND-RAISING drive to help a young woman in her battle against cancer has been given a massive boost after a group of local people bared all for charity.
Quinn’s Bar in Newcastle was the venue recently for a charity head shave and leg/chest wax evening in aid of Siobhan McCann, from Clanvaraghan, near Castlewellan.
The night proved to be massive success and raised £10,000 for Siobhan’s Toughest Opponent, the charity which has been set up to raise the £100,000 which 26 year-old Siobhan needs in order to get life-prolonging medication.
Siobhan was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in April. Since then the cancer has spread to her liver.
Her story has touched the community and a series of fundraising events, including a ladies’ Gaelic football tournament and a charity truck show, have proved to be extremely successful.
The most recent fundraiser proved to be no different. Almost 400 people packed into Quinn’s and put their hands deep into their pockets.
Organiser Cathy Carville — who is Siobhan’s first cousin — said she was delighted with the amount raised and revealed that more money is still coming in.
Cathy was one of the brave people who allowed their heads to be shaved. The others were Rory Arkins, Barry Russell, Michael McMullan and Stephen Cleland.
“We lit up Quinn’s Bar blue,” Cathy said afterwards. “No one ever envisaged such mass support for the event, with over 400 people turning out for the night and many more people donating before and after the event.”
Cathy thanked everyone for their support, including Siobhan and her family who were there on the night.
Particular thanks are extended to Ciaran Small, Chris Clarke, Around a Pound, Simon Walsh, Paul McArdle, Stephen Barker, Martin Carlin, Tim Sexton, Andrew Murphy, Karl Rooney, Micky Rodgers, Tommy Maguire, the many people who helped sell tickets and collect money, the businesses and individuals who donated to the raffle, the live band, compere Cormac McMullan, Annette McCormack who designed the booklet for the night at the races, race sponsors, horse buyers and Quinn’s Bar.