Downpatrick sisters all ready for charity concert in memory of mum

Downpatrick sisters all ready for charity concert in memory of mum

21 August 2019

DOWNPATRICK sisters Emma and Evie Telford are continuing their preparations for a fundraising concert in memory of their mum Lorna.

The Quoile Bar and Bistro at the town’s Strangford Road is the venue for the September 28 concert — which is being sponsored by Phoenix Natural Gas –  featuring the fabulous Belfast Community Gospel Choir.

Emma and Evie are raising money for Cancer Focus NI with the forthcoming concert taking place just days after the fifth anniversary of their mum’s passing following a long battle with lung cancer, despite being a non-smoker.

But before the Belfast choir takes to the stage, Emma and Evie are encouraging people Province-wide to support the Cancer Focus Northern Ireland Forget Me Not Walk up Slieve Donard to raise funds for the charity.

The walk takes place on Saturday, September 14 between10am to 4pm, with all the money raised helping support local people affected by cancer.

The September concert is the second that the sisters have organised in their mum’s memory. The first in 2016 raised over £8,000 for a charity which helped Emma and Evie during their mum’s illness and after her death.

To date, the sisters have organised several events in aid of Cancer Focus NI, raising thousands pounds for the organisation as their way of giving something back to the charity which provided key support to them at a particularly challenging time in their lives. 

The sisters are also planning to hold a raffle on the night of the September concert with all proceeds going directly to a charity which has worked with many families across the district.

Emma and Evie want to help the charity which provides vital support to children who have a parent suffering from cancer and those who have lost a mum or dad to the disease.

“Evie and I are delighted to organise another concert in memory of our mum whom we miss very much,” said Emma. 

“We also hope people will take on the challenge of the Forget Me Not Walk next month and take in the spectacular views from the Mournes as they remember someone special who is no longer in their lives.”

Emma and Evie are proud to keep their mum’s memory alive by fundraising for Cancer Focus which supports children who have experienced a loss similar to them.

“The charity provides a wide range of services for cancer patients and their families. Evie and I are keen to give something back for the help and support we have received from the Cancer Focus Family Service and its wonderful staff,” said Emma.

“We are proud to be associated with the charity and know that mum would be delighted that we are continuing to support Cancer Focus as it helped her during her illness.”

Evie said the forthcoming concert will be an event not to be missed and hopes people will support it to help us continue keeping their mum’s memory alive.

Evie also hopes that people will support the Forget Me Not Walk, with her appeal echoed by Barbara Long, a Cancer Focus community fundraiser.

“When someone you love dies you may wish to celebrate their life and memory in a special way,” said Barbara. “You’ll know the best way to remember them but a Forget Me Not Fund offers a way that not only celebrates their life, but helps other local people affected by cancer.

“All the money raised through the uniquely named fund will help support our vital services and fund cancer research in the local community. Each year in Northern Ireland 13,000 people are diagnosed with cancer, many of whom need support, practical help and advice.”

Barbara added: “Every penny we raise is spent in Northern Ireland and by setting up a Forget Me Not Fund, people could help change the lives of many today and for generations to come.” 

Tickets priced £12.50 for the September 28 concert featuring the Belfast Community Gospel Choir which starts at 7.30pm are available at Down Recorder reception or from David (07779054029) or Emma Telford (07528 019667). A limited number of children’s tickets priced £8 are also available.

Tickets and can also be purchased on line via the Cancer Focus website or contact charity representative Barbara Long, telephone (028) 9066 3281, email barbaralong@cancerfocusni.org.

The registration fee for the Slieve Donard event is £25, with the charity suggesting each walker raises £80.To sign up or to find out more about the Forget Me Not Fund, email barbaralong@cancerfocusni.org, telephone 028 9068 0746 or visit cancerfocusni.org/forgetmenotwalk.