Fundraising Mayor"s Ball revived

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons, has revived the tradition of the Mayor"s Ball, which raises money for charity. This year"s event, the 'Mayor"s Sunshine Ball", will be held on Friday 1st May in Navan"s Newgrange Hotel, in aid of the Children"s Sunshine Home, a voluntary organisation providing help to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. The black tie event will begin with a champagne reception, followed by a five-course gourmet dinner and dancing to the Navan Swing Band. Tickets are priced at €80 each and can be bought individually or in group tables of 10. 'It is important in these tough times to take time out and celebrate life and we are delighted to be in a position to help the Children"s Sunshine Home in their goal to build Ireland"s first children"s hospice, Laura Lynn House,' Cllr Fitzsimons said. 'The future for Navan is bright with developments such as the opening of the new M3 in 2010, the opening of Quinn Direct this year, the selection of Navan as the preferred location for the new regional hospital, the progress of the Navan rail link and the recent resolution to the Tara Mines dispute,' he went on. Padraig Fitzsimons is completing his first five-year term as a town councillor, creating a total of 80 years of continuous public service - since 1929 - by the Fitzsimons family, as his father, Paddy, and grandfather, Patrick, also both served on the council. The last Mayor"s Ball was held by former councillor Alison Boyle when she held the chain of office on the town council. The Children"s Sunshine Home was established in 1925 and is a voluntary healthcare organisation based in Leopardstown, Dublin. In Ireland, it is estimated that there are over 1,400 children with life-threatening and limiting conditions such as cerebral palsy, profound brain damage, meningitis, HIV and cancers. The charity provides home support, respite and residential services for many of these children. For further information on the charity or ball or for tickets for the 2009 Mayor"s Sunshine Ball contact Louise Fitzsimons on (087) 414 5328 or email louisetallon@yahoo.ie