By Niamh Byrne
The Ballsbridge Lion’s Club have been very busy of late, hosting a concert for Gaza as well as a summer BBQ. The concert, which featured a variety of singing acts including a cappella ensemble 4 in a Bar, and Irish folk artist Julie Feeney, took place in St Mary’s Church, Haddington Road, on April the 19th last to raise much needed assistance for children in Gaza. The driving force behind this event was Voice Teacher Máire Ledwith, proprietor of the Máire Ledwith Singing Studio, now in its 25th year, also located on Haddington Road. The event included an auction at which Irish Rugby Jersey signed by all the players sold for €1,000.
In total €15,500 was raised and the cheque handed over at a subsequent event in the Dylan Hotel to Isabelle Simpson, Ireland’s Executive Director to Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), on behalf of that organisation (see picture). Isabelle, who has seen the destruction of Gaza firsthand, thanked everyone for their wonderful generosity.
Médecins sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, is an international humanitarian non-governmental organisation (NGO), who provide assistance to countries in distress, victims of armed conflict, as well as victims of natural or man-made disasters.
And then, in July, the Lions held their Big Summer BBQ jointly with the Pembroke Road Association. A fantastic night was had by all, with everyone up dancing to, firstly the sound of The Nuts, and as darkness descended on Ballsbridge, to NoGMO Jazz. The proceeds were in aid of the community landscaping of St Mary’s Garden. Very well done to the Lions. Long may they roar.
Photos: Ian Davis & Niamh Byrne
