Charity Auction A Roaring Success!
Once again Ennis Lions Club pulled off a mega fundraiser in October to support local charities, primarily Clare Haven Services supporting women and children experiencing domestic abuse and Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre for adults who are addicted to alcohol, drugs and compulsive gambling.
Partnered by Clare FM the Lions accrued over 200 items to auction online over a ten day period culminating in a live on-air event on October 20th on Morning Focus. Taking up residence in No Forty One Bar & Restaurant on that morning Alan Morrissey of Morning Focus skillfully moved between interviews and auction bids as the excitement mounted for the final countdown.
Amongst those was a pre-recorded interview with businesswoman and broadcaster Norah Casey who gave a very personal and emotional testimony to the experience of domestic abuse. To hear a woman that we know as strong, driven and independent explain how she was persistently abused in her 20’s, and how she hid it from family, colleagues and friends was quite chilling. Significantly she told how it was revealing her plight to her mother and seeing her husband’s behaviour through those eyes that ‘woke me up’ and gave her the strength to leave her abuser after 9 years. She ended the interview on a positive note saying she not only survived but went on to lead a really successful life.
That and other interviews with Dr Siobhán O’Connor, Manager of Services at Clare Haven and Mags Nash, Manager of Bushypark prompted a robust response from listeners and bidding on the final items surged towards the end of the auction with up to 10 bids on individual items.
Clare based businesses, artists and professionals were extremely generous again this year donating items ranging in value from €20 right up to €2500 to raise funds for the Lions charities. The immediate tally on the day was over €23,000 but further donations through iDonate, cash and Jersey Day has brought the total funds raised to over €30,000. Project Leader David Goodstein thanked people who made purchases over the 10 days online and hoped they all enjoyed the fun of the bidding process and caught a bargain while they were at it. Clare FM Programmes Director Padraic O’Flaherty paid tribute to management and staff at No 41 Restaurant for their collaboration with the auction and broadcast teams to make the morning live show such a success and thanked them for the donation made from coffee sales during the proceedings.
Speaking after the auction Lions President Michael Sheedy declared ‘The generosity of Clare businesses is so heart-warming, they know the work we do in the community and they consistently support us in that service. We extend a deeply felt gratitude to them’.
This year there was added fun as local schools took part in a Jersey Day to coincide with the auction finale. Susan Ward, Marketing Officer for Ennis Lions Club, suggested it was meaningful that children participated to raise funds for Clare Haven and Bushypark since both services spoke about the children they see having no voice over the decisions made by significant adults in their lives. “A draw for a set of jerseys sponsored by Boru Sports will take place next week for participating schools. We appreciated their teamwork and hope that more will join us next year as this event grows” she said.
To contact Ennis Lions Club email info@ennislionsclub.ie
Keeping Track.