The Mercy Hospital Foundation fundraiser is at the Walter Raleigh hotel on Friday October 15th.

A heart-warming story of friendship, care and camaraderie lies behind a fundraising night for the Mercy hospital cancer care unit next month. For over thirty years Mickey O’Connell from Gurranabraher spent his weekend amongst friends in Youghal, where he his gentle disposition and love for life endeared him to all who knew him. On September 19th 2009, Mickey, aged just 61, succumbed to cancer in Cork’s Mercy hospital. Now, through the Mercy Hospital Foundation, the friends whose lives he enriched aim to ensure his untimely passing brings benefit to others whose lives are infringed by the disease.

Throughout his Youghal sojourns, Mickey was the house guest of Dave and Mag Cooley from Cherryvale, who recall him as “an absolute gentleman and wonderful company.” Ger Kenneally of the fundraising committee reiterates the view, describing Mickey as “a great character and one of the kindest souls you could possibly meet and a man with a great sense of humour. Nobody ever have a bad word to say about Mickey,” he states.

A lifelong bachelor, Mickey served his working life in the customers’ service department of Bord Gais. Mickey shared the family home with his twin sisters Mary and Brenda. The eldest of nine children, his sibling all survive him.

Music

Many of Mickey’s friendships evolved through his musical talents. An accomplished drummer throughout the showband era, he playing alongside such household names as Derek Davis, The Regal Showband, Pat Lynch & the Air Chords, Barry Hendrick & the Treetops and the Music Men. In more recent years he plied his talents on guitar and frequently sat in on sessions in Youghal. “He had a great mind for electronics too,” remembers his sister Mary, “and even built a few guitars. He could never refuse help to anyone, so he’d be fixing guitars for people as well.”

On the night…

Fittingly, many Youghal musicians acquainted with Mickey’s talents will perform at what promises to be a fundraising event with the emphasis as much on fun as funds. “Local bands Rannach and Clockwork will play but there will also be guest musicians from Youghal and Cork,” says Ger.

In difficult economic times, the generosity of businesses and individuals towards the cause already reflects astoundingly well on the town and beyond. Youghal road bowlers recently raised over €600 which, allied to private donations, has helped swell the fundraising coffers to over €5,000 three weeks before the main event.

Admission on the night event brings free entry to a raffle in which donated prizes again reveal amazing generosity. The array includes an i phone 4 (estimated value €700), two LCD televisions, two nights b&b with one evening meal in Ennis, €100 shopping voucher, a petrol lawn mower, a petrol hedge strimmer, dinner for four in Midleton and much more. “People have been exceptionally kind,” agrees Ger, “All our outlays have been sponsored, so every cent we raise goes directly to the Mercy hospital. Mickey himself was a generous man and this is a very fitting way to honour his memory,” he adds.

The Mercy Hospital Foundation fundraiser is at the Walter Raleigh hotel on Friday October 15th. Admission €10 at door or advance tickets at Cree’s shop and from committee members, Dave & Mag Cooley, Ger  Kenneally, Con Kiely, J.J. Cooley, Paudie White. Inquiries: Ger Kenneally: 087-6204084; Dave & Mag Cooley: (024) 91586.