Friends of Firmount NS throw down ‘Thousandaire’ challenge
FRIENDS of Firmount National School brings the hugely popular ‘Who Wants to be a Thousandaire’ to the Oriel House, Ballincollig on Saturday, June 9.
Plans are afoot for the replacement of temporary prefab buildings with two new classrooms and to construct a new library, resource room and sports hall. All involved have invested considerable thought, effort and time in creating plans for the project and in bringing it to the point where construction work is well underway.
An enthusiastic management team are behind this project who have created a financial plan to ensure that the project is feasible and realisable. Through a combination of grant aid, fundraising and private finance they are turning their dreams into bricks and mortar and facilities that will be enjoyed by the pupils of the school and the people in the wider community of Firmount for many years to come.
All involved are on a final push with their fundraising to make up the final shortfall to complete the project and are hopeful of obtaining support from North and Mid Cork. Based on the same principals of the TV game show ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’, members of the public are being asked to purchase tickets for the chance to participate.
At a formal launch, Principal Christine O’Shea said the project is a worthy investment for a community growing in population.
“Basically, we had three prefabs that had reached their sell by date and we needed a new hall as well; numbers had doubled since the school was built just over 30 years ago and the existing hall was too small. Even though we succeeded in getting Department funding we’ve still had to do considerable fundraising to make this happen”, she said.
“The quiz is sure to generate widespread interest, not least for the fact that a member of the audience can go home €1,000 richer, just answer 12 questions and the money is theirs,” said Christine.
Contestants are drawn from ticket sales and each contestant will have a chance to win up to €1,000 on the night. The show is fully computerised with 50/50, Ask the Audience, and a Phone a Friend options. The questions and four possible answers are displayed on two 8ft x 6ft screens, one at each side of the stage.
Tickets are now on sale and are available from any member of the fundraising committee and from the school. Tickets are €15 and the purchaser or his/her nominee can opt to participate as a contestant.