Ellie Nicholl
LUNCH at Stormont, a signed Ireland football jersey and boxing gloves worn by Carl Frampton are just some of the items for auction at a special fundraiser for young Ellie Nicholl.
The brave eight-year-old from Cradien, Garvery, has one of the rarest conditions in the world, H-ABC (Hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum) Syndrome. At the time of her diagnosis on March 16, 2012 Ellie was only the 22nd person in the world with the syndrome and remains the only patient in Ireland with the progressive neurological condition.
With the help of support both locally and from further afield the family has been fundraising to aid research into the condition and search for a cure. The latest initiative is a Halloween fundraiser being held next Friday, October 30 at the Westville Hotel.
Local businesses have generously donated a host of prizes for a raffle on the night, while the auction has a host of unique items including; a lunch with the folks on the hill at Stormont, signed Ulster rugby and Republic of Ireland jerseys, two Manchester United tickets, signed gloves from world champion boxer Carl Frampton and a campervan for hire.
On the night there will be prosecco on arrival and a fork supper, with the charity auction being conducted by Bryan Gallagher. There will also be a disco on the night with Vincey Donegan. Fancy dress is optional, but there will be prizes available for those best dressed.
Ciara Nicholl told the Herald that daughter Ellie was very excited about the upcoming event.
“Ellie had a tough weekend and has naturally been a little distressed, but she bears it like the fighter she is. We’ve been showing her the prizes and chatting about the fundraiser and she’s excited about it. We have been so appreciative of the support on social media for Ellie and are hoping that people are not complacent and think that loads of people will be going to the fundraiser, its so important we sell every ticket.
“My group of friends that are helping organise this have worked hard to ensure people have a really good time and the list of prizes is phenomenal. “Also we have a responsibility to the community and their generosity in donating and sourcing prizes to raise as much as possible. Every person who buys a ticket is investing in Ellie’s future. We are putting additional measures in place to ensure that people who are running in the spooktacular can come along and enjoy the disco.”
Tickets for the Halloween fundraiser are £20 and are available through the Facebook at www.facebook.com/ellienichollspage, Lilley’s Centra and the NI Hospice shop. The event is on October 30 at 7.30pm with all proceeds going towards H-ABC research and the Horizon West Children’s Hospice.
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