Little heroes to be honoured at awards

THE country’s little heroes are to be honoured at a special event next week.

Miriam O’Callaghan and Alan Hughes were dressed to impress when they launched the annual LauraLynn Heroes Ball, their fundraising gala event which this year takes place on Saturday, May 12 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin.

Tickets are available to the public via www.lauralynn.ie

Themed ‘Not Every Hero Wears a Mask’, the LauraLynn Heroes Ball celebrates all the courageous children who benefit from the support of LauraLynn while helping to raise both awareness and funds for the vital service.

Miriam and Alan were joined by Southside kids Max (6) and Luca (8) Smith from Drimnagh, and Izzy (5) and Coco (3) Doyle from Carrickmines, in ‘Gotham City’ at the Wax Museum Plus in Dublin for the launch.

LauraLynn, the only dedicated children’s hospice in the State, provides clinical care, healthcare support, and palliative care services to children with exceptional and life-limiting conditions.

It will cost €5m to run LauraLynn’s Children’s Hospice this year, €4.2m of which must be generated through fundraised income from events and activities such as the Heroes Ball.

Miriam will be host and MC for the evening, which will again this year include a hotly-anticipated charity auction with some very prestigious items up for grabs.

Music and entertainment will be provided into the night by band Perfect Day.

“I’m delighted to be MC for LauraLynn’s Heroes Ball,” Mirima said.

“It’s a great excuse to put on the glad rags, have a night on the town, and do it all for a wonderful cause.

“I’m honoured to have been involved with LauraLynn from the start and to have witnessed the very real differences that LauraLynn makes to the lives of seriously ill children and their families, so I’m urging people to put the May 12 in the diary for what will be a tremendous night out.”

Carmel Breheny, Chair of the LauraLynn Heroes Ball, added: “This is our third LauraLynn Heroes ball and each year they keep getting better and better.

“The event itself couldn’t have been possible without the support of our gold sponsor DCC plc and sponsors Marks & Spencer, West Cork Distillery and Verve Live Agency – and of course all the LauraLynn volunteers and staff.

“The energy and positivity that surrounds this event each year is incredible, and it’s humbling to be a part of it all.”

A Corporate package costs €2,500 per table of 12, while a limited quantity of individual tickets is available for €175 each.

In addition to providing vital funds to LauraLynn, the ticket price includes drinks reception and a five-star dinner with wine.

There will also be great entertainment on throughout the night with an after-party guaranteed to keep the fun going into the early hours.

Tickets are available by contacting Claire or Jacqui on 01 2893151 or by visiting the website www.lauralynn.ie.