Josh McClorey from the Strypes with one of the guitars that is being auctioned online on ebay for the cause.

Massive fundraiser in annemaries name

The Killinkere community and further afield is gearing up for a monster fundraiser for Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care and the Virginia Cancer Fund tomorrow night.

The event, including a host of entertainment and an auction, has developed from the dying wish of a popular mum-of-three who lost her battle with cancer in May of this year.

Anne Marie Keating Smith died a couple of weeks shy of her 40th birthday but insisted to her husband Eddie - with whom she had planned on having a joint celebration - that the party go ahead.

In tandem with the fundraising night, four custom painted and autographed guitars by The Strypes are up for auction on ebay.ie and as of today (Friday) at 11am, the bidding stood at €7,135.15. It closes on Monday, September 7, at 10am.

The fundraiser locally, meanwhile, will start with a tractor run tomorrow (Saturday), September 5, commencing at the Leisure Centre at 2pm, courtesy of the Rainbow Tractor Club. Registration is at 1pm. For further details call Eddie 086 8635537 or Mary 086 8636702 or Alan 086 2519285.

The big night will get underway in the Killinkere Leisure Centre tomorrow from 8pm. There will be a tractor build on the night and it will be performed by The Heather Angels.

The entertainment extravaganza will feature The Wildcats, Travis Oaks plus lots of local artists. 

Anne Marie just over two months ago to cancer, just short of her fortieth birthday, leaving Eddie to rear three small children. While Eddie is away working, the children are looked after very well in Play Days Childcare facility courtesy of Helen Nulty. 

Big highlight
Another of the highlights of the night will be the auction of a large number of amazing items. They include a Dublin jersey signed by the current team, jersey signed by Roy Keane, handball items signed by Paul Brady, sculpture by Joey Burns, Sunday pop-up lunch for two at the Virginia Park Lodge, chairs by Colum Brady, Two rounds of Golf at the Slieve Russell, 2o bags of turf from Thomas O’Brien, €200 voucher from Country Pine, Leinster Rugby ball signed by Leinster Team, painting of Mike Tyson and Barry McGuigan, signed by both legends; trip for two to Old Trafford with Whartons Travel, including transfers, tickets to game and overnight stay.

Other items include a €200 voucher from C&A Event Hire in Virginia, €100 voucher from La Visage Unisex Hair Salon, Rugby Legends painting signed by Paul O’Connell, €250 voucher – utter glitter girl party package for up to 12 children, painting of Katie Taylor and Barry McGuigan, signed by Katie Taylor; Cavan jersey signed by the team.
There will be other items for auction donated by Smith’s Tyre Service, the Ramor Theatre, Jimmy Reilly, Terrence Gillick, Cusack Electrical, Daisy Boo Crafts, My Make-up Studio, Knightsbridge Golf Club, Radisson Farnham Hotel, Jrmini Hair Salon, Bales of Silage from Declan and John Kerr, Strip Loin beef from Liffey Meats/Keepak, trailer loads of sticks courtesy of Martin Brady and Tony Farrelly, Cox Transport, Bales of Silage from P.J. and a Cavan All Ireland Girls U14 jersey signed by the team.
The tickets are €20 and this also enters a draw, where the first prize is a Trip for 2 to Paris for a weekend or a voucher to the same value.
The tickets can be purchased from Skelly’s in Virginia and Ballyjamesduff or from any committee member.
Donations can also be lodged to Virginia Credit Union using reference 6565.
Businesses are invited to advertise on the Facebook page and slideshow projection at the event.
For more details contact Martin Tynan on 0851042072 or Colm Keating 086 3898586.

A traumatic time

Eddie Smith from Termon in Killinkere, a stonemason by trade, has endured a traumatic last 10 months with Anne Marie’s cancer diagnosis and her tragic passing just six weeks ago. It has left Eddie alone to rear their three young children - Kealan (9), Aaron (5) and little Ava (2). 

Eddie says he is “doing my best” to carry on, for example, buying Aaron’s first ever school uniform ahead of starting in Killinkere National School.
Eddie has drawn great strength from his neighbours. 
“I have gotten to know people, whom I never knew before – the support that is forthcoming is just amazing. The kids seem to be doing well and are getting on with their own little things – they don’t dwell on the past.”
Eddie felt obliged to go ahead with the event in keeping with his wife’s wishes.
“I talked to my sister Catriona about the event and we then also decided to make it a fundraiser for the Virginia Cancer Fund and Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care. We then decided to get some friends on board and talked to Martin Tynan, who loved the idea.”

Launch
It gained further momentum after the month’s mind Mass, with the formation of a committee. They recently held a launch night in Lisgrey House where speakers from the two charities to benefit spoke of their work, the Smiths’ generosity of spirit and the community support.

For the past six years Virginia Cancer Fund has provided a taxi service or fuel vouchers to help reduce the stress for patients attending appointments in Dublin or Cavan.