The Gilchrist family from around Downpatrick gathered together in Denvir’s Hotel on Sunday 28 December to run a brilliant gig, the Christmas Big Night Out, in aid of Downpatrick House orphanage in Romania.
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The Gilchrist family helped organise the Big Night Out in Denvir’s Hotel to raise funds for the Downpatrick House orphanage in Romania.[/caption]
This charity has been running for just over ten years and has pumped thousands into a children’s home located in Transylvania in Romania.
The music on the night was by Relish, Mr Pitfuls Chain of Fools, and, last but not least, the Just Adam Band. What a gig!
Organiser Ronan Gilchrist said: “The home caters for about forty children who are orphaned. This area of Romania is very deprived  and although they are now in the EU, it will take years for EU funds and aid to trickle down to help them. We provide direct practical help each year by fundraising for a range of items they need  to keep their home functioning properly.
“We have in the past refurbished the kitchen, put in a heating boiler, and generally made essential repairs to make life comfortable for the children there. The funds we raise is also used towards food and other creature comforts.
“Romania is basically split in two parts and the deprived one is where our Downpatrick House is. It is part of a network of around eighty homes in total who look after the orphans. It certainly is a country with great social problems on a scale most of us would find hard to imagine. This area of Romania could almost be compared what Northern Ireland was like in the Fifties.
“We usually visit there each year but these visits are paid for out of our own pockets. All the funds raised go towards the welfare of the children.”
Check out the photos on Facebook
John Noble, a founder member of the group who also helped to organise the fundraiser added: “We’d like to thank everyone who came along and bought a ticket. We’ve raised £400 in ticket sales which is fantastic. We really get great support from all our friends, family and people in the area.
“The turnout tonight has been brilliant and what better a way to celebrate Christmas than supporting this very worthy cause.”
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