Debs Ball to be held in Jacqueline’s memory

A DEBS-THEMED charity ball is taking place this weekend in memory of a Northside woman who sadly passed away from cancer. 

Jacqueline Daniel died in December 2014 following a three-year battle with the disease, aged just 29.

Before her passing, Jacqueline came up with the idea of hosting a debs-themed event for adults who wished to relive their debs, or who never got the chance to attend theirs. 

Now Jacqueline’s family is following through with her dreams of holding the event, in aid of cancer charities. 

The ‘Grown Ups Debs Night Charity Ball’ will take place at City North Hotel, County Meath, this Saturday, March 25. 

“It was Jacqueline’s plan,” said her sister Pamela. “She wanted to do it. A couple of years ago our cancer support approached her when she was fighting cancer and asked her to be their mascot for their Torch of Hope 

Relay and she did. On her own she raised over  €9,500.” 

Following support from family, friends and local companies in raising almost €10,000, Jaqueline decided to host her own charity  event and give to cancer charities.

“She had gone to a debs but a lot of our friends and family hadn’t gone to a debs so she said: ‘I’d love to give everyone a second chance and organise that’,” said Pamela. 

“When Jacqueline died she was 29 and would have been 30 three months later. She already had her 30th booked and a deposit down on a room in a hotel. Originally we were going to use the hotel and do it that night but it was just far too close to her death so we decided to put it off. 

“It was only late last year that we decided to go ahead with this instead of putting it off for another year.” 

Jaqueline’s daughter, Zoe, was just three-years-old when her mother passed away. While some of the money raised will go towards cancer research and cancer support services, Jacqueline’s family would like to give to bereavement counselling services for children too. 

“Zoe is now five and there’s not a lot of bereavement counselling out there for younger children,” added Pamela. “It’s only done through schools and stuff and Zoe’s school doesn’t do it. We’re looking to fund a little bit that way as well.” The family is hoping to raise at least €7,000 on the night. 

Those who attend will have their photograph taken by a professional photographer upon arrival and treated to a five-course meal. There will be a live band and DJ following the meal with a bar open until 2.30am. A raffle will also take place on the night. 

A shuttle bus will leave from Artane to bring local people to the event and will return at 3am. Tickets are €90 per person and can be purchased from Pamela, phone 085-1121345. Sponsors, spot prizes and donations can be made by contacting jaquiedanielfundraiser@gmail.com.

REPORT: Hayley Halpin