Mayo’s ‘Connacht Mary’ to host Alzheimer’s fundraising tea day

A Mayo woman selected as Connacht’s first representative in the ‘Mary from Dungloe’ festival will host a special tea day in aid of Western Alzheimer's alongside two of her friends.

Caragh Ryan, from Kilmeena, made history in April when she was selected as the inaugural ‘Connacht Mary’. Now, in the buildup to the festival on July 26, she will be endeavouring to raise funds for a worthy cause alongside her friends, Niamh O’Connor and Annie Morrin.

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The trio will be holding a tea party in Kilmeena Community Centre on Sunday, June 22, at 10.30am.

At the event, there will be plenty of entertainment, including live music and a raffle.

The cause is one which is very close to Caragh’s heart, as someone whose late grandmother, Alice Campbell, suffered from the condition. Since she started fundraising for Western Alzheimers in 2017, she has amassed over €31,000 in donations.

Annie Morrin is someone who is no stranger to raising money for vital causes herself, having participated in fundraisers for the Mayo/Roscommon hospice. The cause is also one close to Niamh O’Connor’s heart, as she works as an advanced nurse in the Mayo Memory Assessment and Support Services.

Now, Caragh, alongside her friends Annie and Niamh, will be looking to raise an even greater total in the build-up to June 22.

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So far, the trio has raised an impressive €185 at the time of writing, but they have set an ambitious target of €1,000.

Those willing to donate in advance of the event can do so at the ‘Western Alzheimer’s Tea Day Kilmeena’ iDonate page by clicking here.