Members and supporters of Downpatrick FC have presented three different groups with cheques to help them get more out of life. The three groups which benefited the Downpatrick club’s hairy charity fundraiser on 12 February were Cancer Focus NI, Knockevin Special School and the Downpatrick Sports and Recreation Club. They each received cheques totalling £1100.
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Stephen Holland, Rosie Forsyth (Cancer Focus NI), with John Cusack and Thomas Leckey.[/caption]
Club Chairman Thomas Leckey said: “In the last eighteen months, the soccer club has undertaken a considerable sponsorship and fundraising drive within the local community, and such has been the response from everyone that we at the club felt we would like to give something back to the community.
“In November last year, the players, management, committee and supporters decided that they would do the ‘Movember’ Challenge and grow moustaches and raise some money. During the month of November amid a lot of scoffing and craic, everyone involved had great enjoyment as they perfected their ‘tashes’, posting pictures on the club’s Facebook Page on a weekly basis.
“The committee had asked those taking part to suggest suitable groups which could benefit from our donations, and it was suggested Knockevin School who were looking new football strip for their team and also the Downpatrick Bravehearts who our well known supporter Noel Galbraith plays for. The whole idea of the ‘Movember’ challenge was to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer so it made sense for the club to give to this charity also.”
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Matthew Carson, Stephen Galbraith, Noel Galbraith, Cyril McKinney (Chairman of Downpatrick Bravehearts), Derek McCully, Mel Hynds, Terence Bell, Ceara McKinney & Frances McVeigh.[/caption]
Speaking at the presentation: Rosie Forsythe from Cancer Focus NI said they were delighted to receive the donation of £400 from Downpatrick FC., and added: “This very kind donation will go towards our prostate cancer campaign. In Northern Ireland, 1000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.
“However, it’s because of kind donations like this that we are able to support men who are affected, encourage others to be aware of the signs and symptoms, and help men make healthy lifestyle choices to lower the risk of getting this disease. We want to thank everyone who took part and donated to help raise £1100 for three very worthy causes”.
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Joe McMahon, Paul Brady, Barry Treacy, Sara Liddell (Vice-Principal Knockevin Special School), Gerard Collins and Kerry Fisher.[/caption]
Also delighted with the kind donation was vice-principal of Knockevin Special School Sara Liddell who said: “Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick caters for pupils with severe disabilities from the ages of 3 – 19. Physical Education forms a very important part of the school’s curriculum and the popular football club is the highlight of many pupil’s week. The football team are delighted with the donation that will allow them to purchase a badly needed football kit”.
Cyril McKinney, chairman of the Downpatrick Bravehearts, was also over the moon with the donation from Downpatrick Football Club. He said: “Our team Downpatrick Bravehearts operates on a weekly basis at the Scout Hall in the Russell Park area of the town and is for young adults with a learning disability.
“This money will be used to purchase a new strip in the near future. Over the last number of years we have had some of our players selected for the Northern Ireland squad to represent the country at the European tournament for adults with learning disability. This year we have six members who will be heading to Geneva in Switzerland with the NI squad”.
Club chairman Thomas Leckey thanked all those who took part in the challenge on behalf of Downpatrick Football Club and all those who kindly made donations.
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