Carnmore Hurling Club has joined forces with the Brothers of Charity to host their first fashion show in the Clayton Hotel on Thursday, October 27th.
Profits will be split 50/50 on the night—and Carnmore club chairman Noel Grealish was particularly enthusiastic to be a part of the joint venture.
“We’re delighted the club picked the Brothers of Charity. I think the Brothers of Charity do excellent work and provide and excellent service for people that need it,” he said.
According to the Galway West TD, the partnership came about following a committee meeting, when one of their members proposed the link to the Brothers of Charity.
“There are a number of our members who work with the Brothers of Charity, and when we had a meeting discussing fundraising possibilities for the year, one of the members asked if we could do a joint venture and she proposed the Brothers of Charity. We were delighted to facilitate and help,” he said.
That member was Rita McHugh, who runs Lakeview House for the Brothers of Charity, a social care house in the parish which caters for up to five mental with intellectual disabilities.
According to Rita, the money will go towards the fundraising of a new minibus, which is vital in keeping up the services they currently supply, and keeping the five men living there involved in the community.
“We are very community based. The lads partake in local activities, and use the local services and amenities. It’s vital that they have the minivan, as it promotes their independence and empowers them to get involved in stuff they want to do,” she said.
Rita was also keen to stress the work the house had done already to fundraise, with the residents families, organising a Golf Classic to help out the House.
“The proceeds from the fashion show will be added to fundraising already completed by the families of the service users. They organised a very successful Golf Classic, with all the proceeds going to Lakeview.”
Deputy Grealish also called on other clubs to look into the idea of joint ventures feeling it’s the perfect way of fundraising while also giving back to the local community.
“Every club finds it tough to fundraise during the year. It costs in the region in excess of €100,000 to run any basic club now. But it’s great to see joint ventures beginning to happen with the likes of the Brothers of Charity. I would call on other clubs to do the same, and give back to the community,” he said.
The fashion show is supported by models from the Mandy Maher Catwalk Modelling Agency, but will also see both staff and users of the Brothers of Charity’s services taking to the runway, and with clothes from Anthony Ryans, Cathríona King Miller and Carrigdonn along with many other major fashion houses.
There will also be a Best Dressed Lady Competition and Spot prizes galore on the night with tickets available through Annette at 086 4045 813 or from Bríd at 086 348 3281.
