An Armagh man is set take part in a number of fundraising activities in aid of a charity that helps people cope with the loss of a baby.
Patrick McCann, who lost his daughter Lily-May in 2016, is raising money for the Sands charity.
Sands is a UK-wide charity that aims to support anyone affected by the death of a baby. They work to ensure bereaved families receive the best care, alongside funding research that could help reduce the loss of babies’ lives.
Patrick is preparing to take part in Portadown Cares ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, charity event, which will take place over two nights (February 28 and March 1) next year in the Seagoe Hotel.
The event has been held for a number of years, and so far has raised over £233,500 for the charities chosen by the dancers.
The event is choreographed by professional dance teachers who spend six months teaching the participants how to dance.
Explaining his story, Patrick said: “I lost my daughter on February 12, 2016, I was 18 turning 19.
“Ever since then I’ve had mental health problems and I’ve broken the law. I went to jail and then I started to turn my life around after the second time in jail, so I’m trying to do things to better myself.
“Everybody makes mistakes and this is me trying to give back to society to show I’m not really the person who people make out I am.
“The problem that I had was alcohol, which is my downfall. I haven’t had alcohol in months.”
Patrick also lost his grandfather, who he describes as his “guiding star” in his life.
“When I lost him I went off the rails for a week or two and things started going downhill again, but I got myself back.
“People reached out to me on TikTok, where I was doing motivational speaking, and they thought it’d be a great thing for me to do.”
Patrick is currently in the third week of training in advance of the show. Alongside his dance partner Nadine Foy, he is required to do three dances: a ballroom dance, a rock and roll dance, and a group dance.
“I’m just doing different things to try and raise money for the charity,” he added.
He also hopes to arrange a charity football match in Armagh in October, with more details to be circulated in due course.
You can donate to Patrick’s appeal by visiting his JustGiving page here.
