Published Date: 28 August 2009

By Ailbhe Gillespie

Two Ballymahon men have raised €4,000 for the Friedreich's Ataxia Society of Ireland through an innovative event they held in their local town this summer. Local men Michael Delaney and Barney Mulvihill organised a big musical fundraiser night in Skelly's Bar during the month of June which they comically named Helium as it was "slightly smaller and lighter than Oxegen."

On the night people travelled from far and wide to support the charity and also to enjoy the host of entertainment which was coordinated by Dave McGylnn of No Ego Promotions.

Local based talent such as Veronica Moran, the winner of this year's Longford's Got Talent, the Lilac Blues who appeared on RTE's All Ireland Talent Show and Mullingar band Arrow in the Sky all performed for free to help the lads raise funds for their chosen charity.

One fundraiser was just not enough for these ambitions Ballymahon men, so they also completed a full Olympic distance triathlon in Athlone on July 18. Michael and Barney met up with Mary Colohan of the Freidreich's Ataxia Society this week to present her with €4,000 in funds for the charity.

Michael says that the Helium night was such a success that they are even considering making it an annual event in Ballymahon. "Helium 2010? Well, as this year was such huge success with well over 400 turning up on the night, it is highly likely myself and Barney will endevour to organise a bigger and better fundraiser next year.

We both subsequently completed the Athlone Triathlon and are now weighing up the possibility of doing the "Gael Force West" event in Westport Mayo in 2010 and hopefully we can make even than this years total of €4000. Roll on 2010!" (The Gael Force West Challenge is a gruelling event which includes a race up Croagh Patrick, kayaking and cycling.)

Michael also said, "I want to thank Dave McGylnn for organising all the great music. He really made the night possible for us. I'd also like to mention all the bands for giving up their talents for free on the night and to Michael Conlon for doing a great job as MC. Thanks also to Ronan O'Toole for the class DJ set at the after party and to Gerry Keogh (Legan) for supplying and erecting the after-party marquee. I also need to mention Dave Mulvihill for the after party marquee venue and Skelly's Bar for hosting the gig."

He concluded by saying: "Thanks you to all the local sponsors for their spot prizes including the Rustic Inn and the Wineport. Thanks to all the people who made sandwiches and to those who sold raffle tickets on the night. Also thanks to all the public representatives who came and Shay Slevin for doing security on the night.

"Thanks to the many people who turned up on the night from all over Ireland as well as people flying in from Australia, the US, Sweden, Holland and the UK. Finally I'd like to mention Enda Trautt who raised over €1000 at work for completing the sprint version of the Triathlone."

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Tonnes of pictures and videos have been uploaded on our Facebook pages. Please have a look and leave your comments. Here are a few more pics from the night.......enjoy and thanks again.

Barney & Mike

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TO GO UNTIL OUR FUND RAISER.......

First of all, thanks for visiting this website

Background

Michael Delaney and Bernard Mulvihill are attempting a full Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run) triathlon in Athlone on the 18th July 2009. To get a feel of what is involved in the triathlon sport, please click HERE to see RTE's coverage in 2008. 

We are raising funds for the Friedreichs Ataxia Society Ireland (http://www.ataxia.ie/) and created this website to keep everyone informed of our fund raiser event, give everyone the opportunity to donate online and display our progress leading up to the big day.

Events

We plan to raise money by holding a night of entertainment and fun on the 13th June 2009 (start at 8pm) in Skellys Bar Ballymahon, Co. Longford.

To date the music line up looks like:

• Veronica Moran

• Lilac Blues

• Arrow in the Sky

• Felix Sonnyboy Wilson