Charity ball aims to raise €70,000

TWO leading Waterford charities are set to jointly benefit by more than €70,000 from next year’s mayor’s ball, details of which were announced recently.

Funds raised from Waterford’s planned social event of the year will be shared by the South East Cancer Foundation and the Waterford Healing Arts Trust.

The auspicious occasion will take place at the Tower Hotel on April 5 next with music on the night provided by Brass & Co.

Tickets for the ball will be on sale just after Christmas and plans and preparations are well under way, said city mayor Mary O’Halloran as she launched details of the event.

The mayor is confident the generosity of the people of Waterford would not be found wanting. Both charities, she said, are worthy appeals.

“The ball will greatly help the excellent work being done by the South East Cancer Foundation and the Waterford Healing Arts Trust. Our target this year is up again and we would hope to raise between €60,000 and €70,000, a sum which would be shared between the two appeals.

“The South East Cancer Foundation offers support to cancer patients and their families. In 2001, it began to extend its services and now operates its support services from a four bedroom house in Earls Court Estate. There they offer a suite of services, including counselling and relaxation therapies such as massage and reflexology.

“The foundation has very exciting plans for 2008 which will see a new cancer care centre developed on the Ring Road.

“Fundraising for this project has already begun and we are delighted to help contribute towards this project in every way we can.

“The Waterford Healing Arts Trust is Ireland’s leading hospital arts programme. Based in Waterford Regional Hospital, it explores the role of the arts in the promotion of healing and well being through a multi-disciplinary programme of arts activity.

“The concept of the ‘healing arts’ is founded upon the basic tenet that the arts make a valuable contribution to the wellbeing and vitality of our society.

“Interaction with the arts stimulates an individual’s sense of identity and creativity. Stimulation of the spirit has proven to be a vital aid in recovery of the body,” the mayor added.

Tickets for the mayor’s ball will be available from City Hall.

Maximum capacity for the ball is 420 so it is expected that tickets will sell out quickly once launched in late January.