A unique 30th birthday in Greencastle

Published Date: 20 July 2010 By Staff reporter Courtesy of The Derry Journal

Most 30th birthday parties are about the same things, having fun, getting presents and spending time with friends and family.

But one young Greencastle mother wanted something more….

When Aisling McKinney’s husband, Shaun, and her sister, Sinead, celebrated their 30th birthdays within a couple of weeks of each other, Aisling decided that the occasion needed to be marked in a special way.
However the main big difference in this birthday party that instead of guests bringing presents to the birthday boy and girl, the host only asked that guests should donate some money to their chosen charity, Donegal Cancer Care.
“It’s great to see everyone here, and the effort that everyone has went to is unbelievable. We’ll know tomorrow how much we have raised, I just hope it makes a difference.
“We are lucky enough not to be stricken with cancer, but who knows what the future will bring and when we might need some help,” Aisling told the Journal on the night of the party.

Aisling was determined to find a worthy charity to support, but it wasn’t until she discovered Donegal Action for Cancer Care online and got in contact with Betty Holmes from the charity that she knew this was a truly worthy cause.
“I’d never heard about them before, but when I got in contact with them and heard about the work that they do, I wanted to get involved and try and help them. Everyone in Inishowen is affected in some way by cancer and that needs to be acknowledged.
“They do so much work in the community and I don’t think people know enough about them. They fight for the best treatment for the cancer patients of Donegal, they meet with the doctors in Letterkenny Hospital and at the minute they are fighting for a fulltime cancer doctor in Letterkenny.”
Aisling, her husband and her sister generously paid for a full bar, food, music and even entertainment in the form of a roulette wheel and blackjack tables to tie in with the bond theme.

“When we decided on the James Bond theme, we were worried that it might me a lot of expense for people, what with hiring tuxes and the extra expense. So we thought we would take care of the food and drink side of things and if people just donated what they could to the charity that was more than enough, Aisling told the Journal yesterday.”
The next day, the family couple were delighted when they counted the donations to reveal that they had raised over €1000 for Donegal Action Cancer Care.

“We are so grateful of the money that everyone has donated. Even after the party people came up to the house to give more. I was so shocked considering the expense that everyone went to getting ready for the party.

“The men of course all looked great in their tuxes, but the amount of effort that the girls went to was unbelievable. Everyone looked so well and everyone getting together and supporting such a good cause was the best thing about the whole event.”
 

FLORA  WOMEN'S MINI MARATHON Bank Holiday Monday, 7th June 2010 in Dublin

Cheque presented to DACC for €1814.00 from sponsorship raised from Elaine Doherty, Margaret Nelson, Mary Mc Weeney & Marie Mc laughlin for doing Flora Women’s Mini Marathon 2010 in Dublin.
In the photo also are Rita Kelly, Grainne Gillen and Mickey Mc Clure from

North Inishowen Branch of DACC
 

Back row-Mickey Mc Clure, Marie mc Laughlin, Grainne Gillen, Margaret Nelson,
Front row-Rita Kelly, Elaine Doherty, Mary Mc Weeney

DACC would like to acknowledge and say a big thank you to the following for donations and fundraising this year to the beginning of May 2010.

Liam Mc Gonagle Quigleys Point

B- Bobs Hairdressers Letterkenny

Carmel Meehan & Fiona O’ Brien Ardara & Portnoo

Mc Brearty’s Bar & Friends, Raphoe

Angeline Friel Ballyboefy

DACC extend a sincere thank you to

Ann & Michelle Doherty for

their donation of €1940.18 from their Fashion Show.

Photo shows Michelle Doherty, Teresa Toye and Ann Doherty

Charity Fashion Show Extravaganza

was in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny was on Monday 1st March in aid of Breast Care/ Oncolgy Services at Letterkenny General Hospital, St. Lukes Hospital Dublin and Donegal Action for Cancer Care

Thank you.

Thank you, well done and congratulations to  Leaving Certificate Applied 4th Year Students at The Finn Valley College Stranorlar who as part of of their studies and course work did a project on cancer.

As part of this they fundraised for DACC by selling keyrings.

The class are seen presenting Seamus O’ Donnell and Betty Holmes DACC with the proceeds from their fundraiser.

These young people are a great example of our young people and all in DACC say thank you and we wish them every good health and success in life.

Also present in photo is Ms Lisa Herron Class Teacher and Mr Frank Dooley Principal.