Castlebellingham and Dromiskin First Responders Group hold fundraising table quiz
Jacqueline Delaney and Jessica Farrell at the fundraising night for the Castlebellingham/Dromiskin Cardiac First Responders (CFR) held in PJ Byrnes, Castlebellingham. Eugene Quinn and Mary Bannon at the fundraising night for the Castlebellingham/Dromiskin Cardiac First Responders. ON Friday night I headed for Byrne’s Bar in Castlebellingham where a rather special fundraising Table Quiz was taking place for the Cardiac First Response group based in Dromiskin and Castlebellingham.
The group (all volunteers) were set up just a year ago, support the National Ambulance Service and have 16 members on call 24 hours a day ready to attend where someone is suffering from cardiac arrest, heart attack, stroke or choking and because they are locally based, they can be on the scene faster than an ambulance and give the victim a better chance of recovery.
The night was a fundraiser to help defray costs like insurance, replacing pads, and training which they update every 6 to 8 weeks.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met chairperson Karen Dowling who told me that they are always on the look out for more volunteers and anyone interested can contact her on 0872706849 or on cfr.castlebelling.dromiskin@gmail.com.
The rest of the committee were also there vice chairperson Catriona Brady, secretary Grace McAlister, PROs Mary Watters and Jane Daly-Russell, treasurer Sandra Byrne and members Mary Bannon, Mary Conolly and main fundraiser John Cahill who were all looking forward to the night being a huge success.
Next I caught up with Paddy and Mary Watters from Pearse Park who told me that Mary is involved with the group, but Paddy was only interested in some of the excellent spot prizes.
I then headed for a table where I got a word with Ryan Dullaghan and Jacqueline Delaney both from Main Street who were with Peter and Jessica Farrell from Haggardstown. The lads were ready to do battle no matter what, the ladies were more interested in the spot prizes with their eyes on the massage voucher and the scarf in particular.
Seated close by were Victor Whyte from Corderry and grandaughter Sarah Byrne from Stabannon who were waiting for Victor’s better half Georgina who had set the quiz to come over, but no answers were likely to be handed over!
Meanwhile over at an adjacent table I then caught up with Eithne O’Hanrahan from Dromiskin who was sitting with committee volunteers Fiona McMahon from Dromiskin and John Cahill from Dunleer who were looking forward to a great night with everyone there.
Just arrived in the door and looking for a good space were daughter and mother Julia Ronayne and Anita Gioconda both from Kilsaran who told me they were just ‘in it to win it!’
I then headed for a table where I got talking to Sandra Morgan from Darver who said she was with Thomas McDonnell and they had teamed up with Amanda and Christopher Kearney from Castlebellingham and yes, it was the raffle prizes they had their eyes on.
Not too long later I met up with Lillian and Tom Byrne from Dundalk Road who were awaiting the arrival of Rita and Hannah Tuite from Williamstown, but were with May Connolly from Mayne whose husband Big Jim was going to be the quizmaster, so no favours there obviously!
After this I got talking to committee member Mary Bannon from Annagassan who told me she was there to support the night but was actually on duty and was ready to head off at any time. She was having a laugh with Eugene Quinn from Killanny who was also there to support the night.
Finally, before I departed I got a word with Grace McAlister from Castlebellingham who told me she was hoping that Tom Horwell was going to arrive and assured me the group are just getting stronger and stronger.