Rathkenny Revels Love Lilly!

This weekend’s Rathkenny Revels Christmas Show will benefit the Love Lilly Campaign. Love Lilly is a Trust which will support nine-year old Lilly, who underwent a bone marrow transplant in Newcastle earlier this month, and her family. Lilly attends Stackallen National School. Her mother was brought up on French Lane, Stackallen and the family is very much still part of the community.
Lilly was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease when she was nine months old. This affects her ability to fight infection resulting in her needing regular admission and treatment in hospital. She had been cared for by staff in Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Newcastle Children’s Hospital and her general practitioner. She has had to endure multiple invasive treatments in an effort to keep her body healthy.
Lilly’s younger brother, Harry, is being cared for by his grandparents and aunt at home while Lilly and their mother are in the UK. Harry has also been diagnosed with autoimmune disease but his presentation is not symptomatic and he doesn’t require the same intensive care as Lilly. Lilly is now in a specialist treatment centre in Newcastle Children’s Hospital and is doing well after her transplant.
Some members of the Stackallen Society were approached earlier in the year to help raise funds for the Love Lilly Campaign. They decided to put on a Christmas show in Rathkenny Hall in late November. Preparations started for this production in the summer. From the moment the word circulated about the society helping out with Lilly’s campaign people arrived asking ‘how can I help?’. Putting on this show for Lilly and her family has created a great community spirit, a spirit and a determination that Rathkenny was always noted for and which is still very much alive. Everyone involved, not only from the parish of Rathkenny, but also from surrounding areas, is determined to bring a show that will be memorable and enjoyable for all, and in doing so raise funds for Lilly’s campaign. The Trust hopes to make a significant donation to Crumlin Children’s Hospital when Lilly returns home.
Celebrate Christmas early with the Rathkenny Revels in Rathkenny Hall on Friday 27th, and Saturday 28th November at 8pm; and Sunday 29th at 3pm. Booking on (046) 902 4176. For further information see www.lovelilly.ie or www.rathkennyrevels.com