Mayoral event in aid of Order of Malta

Mayoral event in aid of Order of Malta


Anna Marie Flynn

BALLINA’s First Citizen paid a warm tribute to the ‘community spirit’ in the town during her Mayoral Charity event last Friday.
Mayor, Cllr Frances McAndrew, told the attendance at the Downhill Hotel, that she was ‘acutely aware’ of  “the enormous pressures and strains that persist in our community at this time of national recession and the outstanding response of the people of the town.”
Thanking those in attendance, she said: “Businesses and individuals, in many instances, find themselves under severe personal and financial pressure, and with that in mind, I am both deeply inspired and encouraged by the positive reaction to this event. Despite the doom and gloom associated with the national recession, this is, nonetheless, a very exciting time for Ballina Town.”
Mayor McAndrew listed a number of exciting developments currently under way in the north Mayo town, among them the Pearse Street refurbishment; the revamp of Barrett Street; and the development of the Theatre & Arts Centre
“Ballina is a great and vibrant town and its potential knows no bounds, particularly when we think of the many and varied community and voluntary organisations that exist at its core. I applaud and deeply appreciate the work that each of those organisations do for our community,” added the Mayor.
The charity event was in aid of Ballina Order of Malta Care Programme, which stands for Care and Respect for the Elderly and is the main charitable work of the organisation in the town. The main aim of the project is to improve the quality of life for older people, especially those who are lonely and vulnerable, by enabling them to have companionship and services necessary to live life to the full.
“I am delighted that as Mayor, I have the opportunity to pay this tribute to the Ballina Order of Malta and to highlight the wonderful work you do,” she said.
Special guest, Sean Gallagher, of RTÉ’s Dragon’s Den fame, was also generous with his words of praise and encouragement for the community, urging business people and consumers alike to work their way out of the challenges which they face on a daily basis.