All roads lead to Killygordon and the Crossroads for the August Bank Holiday for ‘A Weekend Not to Forget’ – a very special local fundraising event with family entertainment in aid of the Donegal Branch of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
On his 50th Birthday, John Devine from Killygordon whose mother, Elizabeth Devine, has Alzheimer’s decided to increase awareness of the need for more dementia-specific services in the local community and beyond and held a fundraiser on his milestone birthday and again repeated it last year.
John, a man with a big heart, saw there was a large gap in services for those with dementia and was motivated to make a difference and help and had a vision for a fundraising weekend to get all the community involved and together with his friends, Stephen Gallagher and Michael Gallagher, they have put this event together.
Highlights include:
Saturday 3rd August:
- Browne’s Pub at the Crossroads in Killygordon will be the music hub for the weekend as The Browne Family wanted to support this event as their mother, Maureen Browne, who had Alzheimer’s, sadly passed away recently. Tickets at €10 are on sale in Browne’s Bar & Bradley’s shop for Browne’s Bar entertainment and covers both Saturday and Sunday plus you get a Free Burger on the Sunday.
Stephen Gallagher, John Devine and Michael Gallagher at Browne’s Bar of the Crossroads in Killygordon.
Sunday, 4th August:
- 75k and 50k Road Bike Cycles: Early start at 09.30AM with the scenic 75k and 50k Road Bike Cycles leaving the Crossroads and Killygordon Enterprise Centre (CAKE) taking in the beauty of the locality with refreshments on route. Entry Fee €10 Euro and helmets & high-vis clothing compulsory for everyone taking part.
- 75k cycle will go to Donegal Town: roundabout and returning to Ballybofey turning of at Aldi and returning on the back road through the Cross and back to the CAKE centre. 50k cycle returns from Biddy’s Of Barnes using the same return route).
- Live music at Browne’s Carpark: The first gig of the weekend is from Ryan Mulreany on stage at 8.30pm followed by White House Garden Collective and DJ Vinny.
- Tractor Run: Get your tractors out for Donegal Branch of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland! The tractor run leaves Red Hugh’s GAA Club Carpark and head off for a trip around the quiet roads high above the Finn Valley again taking in spectacular views on their journey. Entry fee is €10 with refreshments afterwards at Red Hughs GAA clubhouse.
- Family Fun Day at Browne’s Crossbar Carpark: Children under 16 are free with an accompanying Adult. Free bouncy castles, face painting and so much more.
- Live music on stage all day starting from 2.00pm including Danny Carlin, Jamie Noonan,The White Torches, Johnny Callaghan, Serial Twins and DJ Vinny Vincent Kavanagh.
Alastair McKinney, Chair of Donegal Branch of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and member of the A Weekend Not to Forget organising committee, said:
“With three or four new cases of Alzheimer’s or other dementias in Donegal each week raising the current estimated number of 2,000 people living with the illness now to 5,000 people by 2039, the HSE and The ASI will not be able to deal with the effects on individuals, families and communities without the participation of those communities in helping to care for affected families living in their midst.
“It is encouraging to see communities already stepping up to help with fundraising to support the home respite services that The ASI Donegal provides, aware of the growing need and prepared to respond positively in a spirit of good-neighbourliness, kindness and love. We look forward to working with communities such as this to give those families impacted by dementia the care that they need and deserve.’’
You can find further information on dementia supports and services in Donegal HERE
More info on the fundraiser Facebook page: A Weekend Not To Forget
Tags: