Locals surprise pal with a very special night

THERE were plenty of smiles and lots of love at Erin’s Isle GAA club earlier this month at a surprise party organised by locals to raise funds to help buy a prosthetic leg for a much-loved Finglas man.

Maria McDonnell, Sheila Mooney-O’Neil and Christine O’Brien decided to arrange the surprise night for their pal, Chris Watson, who sadly had to have his leg amputated a couple of months ago.

On the night, Chris, who is originally from Abbotstown Aveune, thought he was just going to meet a handful of friends for a quite drink but little did he know there was a huge crowd waiting to welcome him at the bar in Erin’s Isle.

“When we wheeled him in through the door he nearly died,” laughed Maria.

“It was a brilliant night, even better than we anticipated. We sold 200 tickets and the bar was full to the brim.

“Chris is a very good friend of mine. I met him through his sister, who was my best friend years ago but she died of cancer when she was just 36 and her mother died the very next day.”

The last few years have been tough for Chris, who now lives in Ringsend, and having his leg amputated following illness was a terrible blow. However, his family and friends are supporting him in whatever way they can and were more than happy to back the fundraiser on October 7.

The event was super example of a community coming together to support one of their own and local businesses did their bit by donating over 50 prizes for a raffle on the night.

There was also an auction for a pair of tickets to see Celtic take on Barcelona in Glasgow next month thanks to one of Chris’s cousins who has connections with the Scottish club.

“Between ticket sales, the raffle and the auction we raised just over €3,000,” said Maria.

The money raised will go towards a specially built, hi-tech prosthetic leg from Germany being bought by Chris’s family, which will give him much more movement than the standard model usually supplied and allow him to stay in his home.

Chris’s pals have other fundraising activities lined up including a bag-pack in Tesco, Blanchardstown on October 29.

“Chris has come on leaps and bounds and I think he sees some light at the end of the tunnel,” said Maria. 

The night was so well supported that it’s impossible for Northside People to acknowledge all those Maria wished to thank but a special mention needs to go to DJ Dylan (Dizzy) Walsh and George O’Brien who provided the food.

Among those businesses and organisations who lent their support was The Tanning Cove, Metro Hotel, Erin’s Isle, Celtic Football Club, Gleeson Butchers, Bottom Of The Hill, Fashion Flo, Golden Palace and the Irish Ladies Rugby team.