Ciara, Arran and Adrian Nicholl
OVER £10,000 has been raised from the Halloween Fundraiser for little Ellie Nicholl.
The special event held in the Westville Hotel on Friday attracted over 250 people, with proceeds raised on the night going towards research into Ellie’s neurological condition H-ABC and the Horizon West Children’s Hospice.
Speaking to the Herald this week Ellie’s mother Ciara was amazed by the “absolutely fantastic” response from the local community, with over £10,000 raised on the night, £4,100 of which came from a charity auction.
“ It was just a great night all round where the community came together.
“Obviously I missed Billy not being there and Ellie was lying in the children’s ward, but I knew both of them were in safe hands. It’s like our second home at the moment up there. I know both of them are well looked after so I let my hair down a bit, it was a wee bit overdue.”
With husband Billy recovering in hospital following a heart-attack two weeks ago he was unable to attend the event, but Facetimed from his hospital bed and was able to follow proceedings on the night. Billy is waiting for a triple-bypass operation and Ciara hopes this will take place as soon as possible, with a time-scale of two to three weeks given to the family.
“Hand on heart I would just hope it is done before then, because it’s not easy trying to go between the two of them and then also with Arran at home. It’s not easy with your right hand man in hospital.”
Little Ellie was admitted in hospital last Tuesday after a bad week, but Ciara hopes she will have her daughter home by the end of this week.
After two successful fundraisers the Nicholl family now plan to hold a Christmas draw, with many fantastic prizes including a bathroom and midweek breaks held over from Friday’s fundraiser.
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