TICKETS FOR FUNDRAISING DANCE IN AID OF CLONTIBRET FAMILY SELLING WELL

By Cianna McNally

Tickets are selling well for a fundraising dance that is set to take place early next month in support of five-year-old twins with severe health challenges.

Maeve and Francis McCabe from Avelreagh, Clontibret are the only children of Kevin and Kate and were born in July 2010. Francis was born with a very rare lung condition and is the only person in Ireland to suffer from it. He has to be 100% tube fed, needs oxygen and has a serious low blood sugar condition that can require immediate hospitalisation. Along with his medical problems Francis has autism and a learning disability.

Maeve has a very serious form of epilepsy. She has multiple seizures every day and has never had a seizure free day, which understandably has a major impact on her life as her development, balance and mobility are affected. Maeve also has a learning disability and the same serious low blood sugar condition as her twin brother Francis. The twins need constant care and supervision day and night.

The organising committee members behind the fundraising dance, which will take place on Saturday, 6th February in The Glencarn Hotel, Castleblayney, are very grateful for the support shown to this event so far. Ticket sellers will resume calling door-to-door this week and tickets are priced at €15. A raffle will also take place on the night of the dance and the prizes up for grabs include two weekend breaks in Ireland, a 22-inch flat screen TV, a mobile phone, a Irish rugby jersey signed by Tommy Bowe, meal vouchers and more.

The aim of this fundraiser is to provide extra help at night as the family currently gets very little sleep. It is also hoped that the money will provide other things for Maeve and Francis such as supervision during the day as well as safety equipment, the provision of a safe play area and extra therapies.

Tickets are currently available from the reception desk in The Glencarn Hotel and they can also be bought from committee member Sean Mulligan who can be contacted on 087 2222539. There will also be an option to pay at the door on the night of the dance. Donations can also be made via the McCabe Twins Fundraising Dance Facebook page for anyone who wishes to do so.