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Ballyroan fundraiser this weekend for little Mary Claire

Mary Claire Knowles with her mam Rose Maher and dad Anthony Knowles

The Ballyroan community spirit is a very strong one – and that will be shown in abundance this weekend at a local event to support Mary Claire Knowles, a young girl who suffers from Dravets Syndrome, a severe form of Epilepsy.

Scully’s pub in Ballyroan are hosting a Charity Livestock and Fodder Auction this Bank Holiday Sunday, October 28. The activity gets underway at 9pm.

Bales of hay, silage, straw and even calves are among the items up for auction with pub owner Eileen Scully one of the main driving forces behind the event.

Numerous items have already been donated from farmers in the locality and beyond – and anything purchased on the night can be collected on a later date.

“The generosity of farmers has been brilliant,” said Eileen Scully this week. “And we’ll accept items right up until the night itself.”

The funds raised will go towards Mary Claire’s treatment.

Mary Claire featured on the three-part documentary series on Portlaoise recently and her parents Rose Maher and Anthony Knowles spoke to LaoisToday about their battle to receive specialist treatment for their young daughter.

There was good news for the family last week when Anthony’s name was drawn from the drum on Winning Streak – and he will appear on the programme on Saturday week, November 3.

If you wish to donate, contact Eileen Scully on 085 1641339 or 087 9562491.

SEE ALSO – Family at heart of ‘The Town’ documentary fear they’ll have to move abroad if they can’t get treatment here