Last Wednesday (25 May 2016) evening the Garda band took to the stage in Malahide Rugby Club to help raise funds for Howth RNLI and Malahide Lions Club charities. 150 people attended the event which raised over €2,000 for the local good causes.
Conducted by Inspector Pat Kenny, the band kicked off with the rousing traditional tune Sarah’s Delight which got the audience tapping their feet. Garda Charles Kavanagh gave Michael Bublé a run for his money with Frank Sinatra hits including Fly Me To The Moon. The band performed a poignant and haunting rendition of Danny Boy, a tune they usually play at ceremonies to remember their fallen colleagues. Some of the audience took to dancing in the aisles and singing along to Amarillo and Daniel O’Donnell’s hit I just want to dance with you and Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues.
The special guest performance was by the St. Oliver Plunkett Junior School Choir in Malahide, which included boys and girls from 2nd and 3rd class under the guidance of their teachers Ms. Annette Curry and Ms. Anne White. They sang a medley of songs including hits by ABBA and rendition of Row Your Boat specially for Howth RNLI.
The event was organised by Malahide Lions Club to help raise money for Howth RNLI and other charities which they support including; St. Francis Hospice, Hugh’s House, C.A.S.A., the Caroline Foundation, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Laura Lynn.
Donal O’Meara, President of Malahide Lions Club commented,”
As first responders the Gardaí work closely with Howth RNLI, so it was fitting to have the Garda Band here to help raise money for the local lifeboat. Tonight has also helped to raise funds for other charities in the community which support senior citizens and needy families in the locality”.
Rose Michael, Howth RNLI Fundraising Chairperson said,
“This evening’s event has been a fantastic success. The money raised tonight will help to cover the costs of kitting out and training our crew, and the running costs of the lifeboat. With holiday season approaching more people will be taking to the water, it will be a busy time for our volunteer lifeboat crew to be saving lives at sea. We don’t receive any funding from government and are totally reliant on the generosity of the community, so every donation is gratefully accepted and greatly appreciated”.
A Mayday dinner was held in Malahide Yacht Club last Friday (27 May 2016) night to help raise funds for Howth RNLI as part of the charity’s annual national fundraising campaign. 24 people attended the event and contributed to raising € 120 on the night.
