Castleisland based singer and entertainer, Pat Cassidy stood at his keyboard on the stage of the Ivy Leaf Art Centre on the Saturday afternoon of May 3rd and belted out 100 songs without a break. This was the challenge he set himself as he vowed to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
Surrounded by fellow, local musicians and entertainers and looking down on a floor full of delighted dancers, Pat sang every word of the 100 song target set himself after his brother and sister died of cancer in recent years. Pat’s grand-daughter Grace Murphy kept a tally and filled in the 100 song chart as they were being sung.
After the family bereavements, the Omagh, Co. Tyrone native wished to put his considerable talents to use by raising funds for the society.
Last week Pat and Grace were back at the Ivy Leaf Art Centre to present a cheque for €1,066.22 to Eileen Kearney the Munster area representative of the Irish Cancer Society.
“I don’t even know where to start thanking people. Everyone gave their time and their services free of charge. We got the venue from Jerome Stack. Garvey’s, Centra and Aldi and Lidl gave us supplies for tea and so many shops in town donated spot prizes. And that means that every cent we raised is gone directly into that cheque you see here today and to the charity,” said a Pat.
“I was hoping to raise €1,000 from the afternoon and I was delighted when we passed that mark. We got through the day and with a lot of help from a lot of people and a bit of fun along the way we made it. If there’s a demand for a repeat next year then I’m up for it,” said Pat as he was, again, surrounded by family, friends and supporters at the cheque presentation ceremony.
