Grange night out raised €11,000 for Roxanne’s medical treatment
Mary Pender on behalf of the Grange Community Committee presents the proceeds of the Roxanne fundraiser appeal to Roxanne's mother Máirin Kelly in Walshe's of Killerig. Also pictured are Roxanne's father Declan and brother Curtis, her grandparents Frank and Margaret Nolan, and committee members Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
THE PLIGHT of six-year-old Roxanne Kelly has not only rallied a local community but sparked an incredible outpouring of generosity, with over €11,000 recently raised in Grange.
The Grange community held a fundraising night in aid of Roxanne, who was born with a rare condition called Arthrogryposis, which severely affects her physical movement in all four limbs, resulting in her being unable to sit up, stand, or feed herself.
Daughter of Máirín Nolan and Declan Kelly, sadly further complications have been discovered in recent months, which have hastened the need for Roxanne’s immediate treatment in a specialised hospital abroad. Máirín is originally from Grange so the local community wanted to support the huge fundraising campaign that is currently underway to ensure Roxanne gets the medical care she needs.
The Grange fundraiser was held in Walshes of Killerig and welcomed a huge crowd from the local community, who enjoyed a fun-filled auction and a bumper raffle, with all sorts of terrific prizes up for grabs.
Organisers were also delighted to welcome Roxanne’s parents Máirín and Declan, her grandad Frank and extended family to the night. In fact, Frank had celebrated his 89th birthday that week, so a rousing was sung to Frank by all in attendance.
“We were delighted with how everything went. People were so generous with sponsorship, raffle prizes, the auction and buying tickets … we are just so grateful to everyone,” said Mary Pender, a member of the organising committee.
“We’d also like to thank Eric Driver, manager of Tullow Mart, who did the auction for us, Gerard Holohan, who looked after the music, and Sally Walshe, who hosted the fundraiser – they were all great and so generous with their time,” she added.
The organising committee included Eileen Farrell, Ann Rooney, Helen Hickey, Liz Hegarty, Mary Shannon, Padraig O’Toole, Veronica O’Reilly, Andrew Nolan, Mary Pender and John Pender, who also acted as MC on the night.
The total raised from the night was €11,009, far beyond what anyone could have hoped.
“People were so generous. The Grange community really wanted to support Roxanne and I know their support means so much to Máirín and Declan,” added Mary.
More than €120,000 has now been raised on Roxanne’s GoFundMe page, but a final push is needed to raise the €180,000 to ensure Roxanne gets the specialised treatment and the quality of life she deserves.
