Dynamic Laois duo Beverley and Edel organise fundraiser for Crumlin
The big-hearted dynamic duo are owner of The Hare's Corner in Mountmellick Edel Connolly and Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Athy pastor Beverley Barbour Photo: Stan Henderson
AS the Christmas spirit begins to sparkle across Mountmellick, the town’s own dynamic duo Beverley Barbour and Edel Connolly are calling on people from all over Laois to become superheroes for a fundraising night and to rally behind Crumlin hospital’s bravest kids.
On Saturday 28 November at 7pm, The Hare’s Corner Café and Restaurant is hosting an unmissable evening of festive cheer, great craic and generosity to raise vital funds for families with seriously ill children in Crumlin hospital.
Beverley, pastor at Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Athy Methodist churches and the warm-hearted owner of The Hare’s Corner, Edel, will join forces to support parents whose little ones are receiving critical care at Children’s Health Ireland in Crumlin.
Speaking to the Laois Nationalist in The Hare’s Corner, Beverley explained how the whole idea began on an ordinary Sunday morning when a member of her congregation walked into church. She said that after returning from holiday, she chatted with a woman who works as a nurse in Crumlin’s critical care unit, who had also just returned from holiday.
She said: “I asked how many families in the hospital were struggling with the everyday costs of being by their child’s bedside and the answer that I got was heartbreaking. Because Crumlin is operating at full capacity, rooms that would normally hold one child alongside a pull-out bed or sofa for a parent are now accommodating two or three young patients at a time. With nowhere to sleep on the wards, parents are ending up having to fund a whole second life by paying for endless travel, hotel stays and daily meals out of their own pockets while their children are fighting for their health.
“I asked the nursing team to highlight families who needed an immediate lift and I was shocked to hear about toddlers battling cancer and a little girl with Myocarditis awaiting a heart transplant. Whatever money we manage to raise on the night will go towards helping families with sick children.” Edel and Beverley have held several successful fundraisers together over the years and when Beverley brought the idea to Edel, she didn't hesitate for a second. Known for her generosity, Edel immediately opened the doors of The Hare’s Corner. She said: “Having a place like The Hare’s Corner in the heart of the community means that we can use it to lift people up when they need it most. I love to help people and we have a venue, so to me it’s a no-brainer. With Christmas around the corner, there’s no better way to get into the season of giving than turning out for a worthy fundraising event in Mountmellick.” Taking the mic as quizmaster will be Cllr Paddy Buggy, leas-cathaoirleach of Laois Co Council and manager of Mountmellick Development Association (MDA). Both women said that Paddy will be in his element while keeping the energy high with plenty of wit, friendly competition, Christmas spirit and, of course, a bit of craic.
Entry is €10, which includes tasty finger food and light refreshments with four people to a table. People are welcome to gather a group of friends, family or workmates, or to simply arrive on their own and join a table, everyone is invited. There will be a bumper raffle (with tickets sold separately) packed with brilliant prizes donated by local businesses that could even help people to tick off a few early Christmas gifts.
Any local businesses that would like to spread some Christmas goodwill and donate a prize can drop items directly into The Hare’s Corner at the MDA Business Campus in Irishtown, call the café on 057 8644355 or message The Hare’s Corner on Facebook. Anyone looking to reach out to Beverley directly for more details can contactg her on 087 9347910, email beverley.barbour@irishmethodist.org or get in touch via the Mountmellick Methodist Church Facebook page.
Every child fighting a serious illness in Crumlin is a true superhero. Saving the date for Saturday 28 November at 7pm will help to bring a little Christmas magic to the families of children who need it most.
