Family raises €7,000 for Hospice

More than €7,000 was raised at an event last weekend for St Brigid's Hospice on The Curragh, by the family of the late Mary Clarke, who died in April.

The evening in Lumville House was attended by more around 200 people, with music provided by Ollie Lambe, Bobby Bolger and Mary's husband Gerry.

Gerry organised the event with the couple's six girls, Linda, Samantha, Yvonne, Olivia, Geraldine and Lorraine.

"We all looked after Mary ourselves during her illness, because that was the way she wanted it," he told the Diary. "But the Hospice nurses were there in support the whole time, and we just felt that something should be done for the service."

The Clarke family expressed their thanks particularly to the businesses in Kilcullem, Newbridge and Athgarvan for the support and spot prizes given. "And we're also extremely grateful to the people who donated money as well as those who bought tickets for the evening," Gerry said.

He also noted their appreciation for the Table Quiz run by the Cross & Passion students, and for Baltinglass Bingo Committee who ran a successful raffle during one of their sessions.

Brian Byrne.