Fundraising dance for orphaned Ballycroy teen

Anton McNulty

The Erris community have been asked to rally behind a Ballycroy teenager who has been left an orphan following the death of her mother in March.
A fundraising dance is taking place in The Talbot Lodge, Geesala this Sunday, June 4 to raise money for 17-year-old Lauren Mai O’Boyle, whose mother Jackie sadly passed away on March 5, 2017.
Lauren’s dad Jim also passed away suddenly on Christmas Eve nine years ago and the death of her mum has left Lauren without any immediate family.
As Lauren is still a minor she had to leave her family home and move in with a family in her local community until she reaches 18 years of age. If she was not taken in by the family, she would have had to go into care in Galway.
Lauren was the first child in Ballycroy to be born in the new Millennium and won’t turn 18 until next February. She is a 5th year student in St Brendan’s College in Belmullet and will sit her Leaving Cert next summer.
Despite her difficult circumstances, Lauren does not receive any financial support from the state and in order to support Lauren, a group of local people have set up an association to help and support her during this difficult time. They hope to help her to make the transition to enable her to live independently in her own home eventually. Her family home needs some renovations and she will need financial help for further education and her future.
A number of local musicians have given their time free of charge to play in the fundraising dance and food will be served on night. The association have asked the local community to come out and support the worthy cause.
All monies raised will be held on behalf of Lauren in a bank account which can only be accessed by authorised committee members and will require two approved signatures. Donations can also be made through a local bank account and any support you can give will be very much appreciated.
Cheques can be made payable to ‘Lauren Mai Association’. The AIB bank account number is: 37944055; sort code is 937169; and IBAN is; IE22AIBK93716937944055.