Newry Mourne and Down District Council is raising money for Children In Need at its Down Arts Centre venue in Downpatrick.
Council Chairperson Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick is delighted by the response to this very worthy cause and said: “The weeklong fundraising effort has already commenced with local schools taking part in our ‘Pudsey Parties’. In total, 320 local school children have supported this cause by joining the Arts Centre Staff for a viewing of ‘Paddington’, where all attendees donated £1 and came in their Pudsey Pyjamas.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to Legamaddy Primary School, Our Lady and St Patrick’s Primary School, St Patrick’s Primary School Saul, St Joseph’s Primary School and Killough Primary School for supporting us.”
The fundraising will continue throughout this week with a huge raffle, and tickets are available in the Down Arts Centre for £1. An enormous amount of support has been received from local businesses through generous donations, and raffle prizes include an overnight stay in The Cuan, Strangford, artwork, jewellery, vouchers from Lifetime Health, Eclipse Cinema, Murphys Bar & Restaurant, Kismat Restaurant, No 10 Day Spa, Beau Visage, The Daily Grind, McElhome’s Opticians, a Pudsey cake and Pudsey cupcakes from Just Deserts to name a few.
In total, Down Arts Centre has received over 30 donations towards our raffle draw and a full list of prizes is available at reception in the centre.
The draw will take place live on Saturday 26 November during the sell-out performance by The Illegals with Niamh Kavanagh.
Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick extends her thanks to the schools, businesses and wider community for having contributed towards this fundraiser. She also thanked the staff of the Down Arts Centre who have worked tirelessly on raffle prizes, donations and decorating the Centre for the big event, and reminds everyone to call in and make their donations or purchase raffle tickets, which are available until Saturday 26 November.
