JASON HOSTS FUNDRAISER NIGHT FOR HOSPITAL
On Friday night I headed for the Lilywhite Lounge in Oriel Park for a special fundraising night for St. James Hospital by local man Jason Thompson from Kingswood. Jason who was diagnosed and beat Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The night included a fun quiz, loads of spot prizes and some music and a huge crowd arrived to lend their support.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with Jason who was with his partner Grainne McCreesh and kids Lauryn-Aimee and Matthew, parents Patricia and Mervyn Thompson from Greenwood Drive, sister and son Leigh and Josh Thompson from Kilcroney.
James was in great form and told me the night was a fundraiser to give back to the hospital who treated him so well and wanted to thank everyone for attending to help with the fundraiser.
Making my way over to one of the tables I caught up with my old mate, the best ska DJ to be found in Dundalk, Anthony Bond from Claddagh Park who told me he too had had a neck lymphoma and was there to support Jason’s night. He was having a laugh with Hilda and Billy McCann from Villas 2 who assured me they’d be in with a shout when it came to the fun quiz.
Making my way to another table I then got talking to Eddie and Louisa Cuthbert from Dublin Road who were with Bridie Laverty and Neville Cuthbert from Greenacres who told me they were there to win, and to have a few beers along the way!
Seated close by were sisters Emily and Sarah Gallagher from Carrick Road who were with parents Audrey and Ben who admitted that Emily and Sarah were their secret weapon where the quiz was concerned.
Not too far away I got a word with the Duffy’s from Belfry Gardens including parents Sylvia and Padraic, daughter Kim and Andrew O’Connor from Oaklawns, son Brendan and landscape photographer extraordinaire Mark who were up for a mad one. Padraic told me they had been neighbours to the Thompson’s for 18 years and certainly weren’t going to miss the night.
Even though he only gets out once every 10 years, Brian Gallagher from Mullabohy told me that he was quietly confident of doing well at the quiz and with the aid of his wife Tracy and friends Ali and Gerry Ross from Redbarns Road, they were definitely in with a shout of some major prizes.
After this I headed over for a chat with Vincent and Florence Rowan from Knockbridge who are family friends and Vincent is in the Dundalk Club with Mervyn. They were really looking forward to the night and wanted to wish Jason all the best with his fundraiser.
Not too long later I got talking to neighbours Kathleen and Peter O’Connell from Greenwood Drive who told me they Jason Thompson, with Lauryn-Aimee, Matthew and Grainne McCreesh.
are wonderful neighbours and they were delighted to be there on the night.
Making my way through the crowds I then met up with Patricia and Martin Bannon from Ardee who told me they were definitely ready to give the quiz a go and wanted to wish Jason all the best on his endeavour.
Also up for making it a real night to remember were Bridie Laverty from Greenacres, Anne Keaskin from Laurel Grove and Robbie Ramsey from Carrick Road who were confident on doing well in the fun quiz!
After this I caught up with Jason’s uncle Brendan and Georgina Thompson from Cluan Enda who were with Bernie Shannon from Tateetra and cousin Trevor Thompson who was going to be providing the music later on and they wanted to wish him all the best on his big night.
I headed for a table where I got talking to Sean Woods from Knockbridge, Chloe Ticehurst from Ravensdale and Jason’s niece Rachel Daly from Kilcurry who told me they were ‘ in to win’.
At an adjacent table I then got talking to uncle Christy and Peggy McGee from Blackrock who were up for a night of fun along with Marian and Joe McCrink from Bay Estate.
Heading towards the bar I then met Patricia’s cousin Matt Keating from McSwiney Street who was with Sheila O’Hagan from Lisdoo who certainly weren’t there to make
up the numbers!
Beside them I had the pleasure of meeting up with mother and daughter Sharon and Chloe Black from Woodbury Gardens who told me they’d have no problems with the quiz and were looking forward to a good night.
Finally, before I departed I met up with Paul Black from Blackrock and Gemma Bannon from Drumcar who were only in and wanted to wish Jason all the best with his fundraiser.