The mother of a five-year-old boy living with leukaemia is, with the help of friends and family, organising her biggest fundraiser ever to give back to her “safe place” and “earth angel”.
Michelle Rooney, from Benburb – together with sister Paula and friend, Craig Millar – is organising the Western-themed ‘Yeehaw for Angel Wishes’ fundraising event in their local watering-hole, The Bottle of Benburb.
The event is Michelle’s way of supporting an incredibly special charity that has been there for her and son, Frankie from day one of his leukaemia journey.
Five-year-old Frankie was first diagnosed when he was just three when mum, Michelle “trusted her gut” noticing a bruise on his neck, despite not having injured himself.
Understandably, hearing the news that her son had blood cancer, which required immediate treatment, left the devoted mother in a state of utter disbelief and complete heartbreak.
But, she said an “earth angel” awaited and she was there from day one. That earth angel was Gaye Kerr of Angel Wishes, the charity which the trio are now putting all their efforts into fundraising for.
Describing the invaluable support of Angel Wishes to Armagh I, Michelle said: “Really the first person or charity that reached out to us was Angel Wishes. It’s run by one woman, there’s nobody on the payroll, every single penny goes to the children fighting cancer.
“She was my safe place. That first phone call I remember taking was total shock and my initial thought was, cancer equals death.
“She just made me feel so much better, she was so empathetic towards me and just knew what to say.
“When your child is diagnosed you have to take off work, get other kids sorted and your bills still go on and there’s no immediate financial help for the children or their families while fighting cancer.
“The children can get disability benefits but it can take around four months to come in.”
Michelle explained that Gaye sadly lost two of her own children, Helen and Brian, to cancer-related conditions and that she runs the charity in their memory while also “dedicating her life to making other children smile again”.
The support from Angel Wishes came to Michelle in the form of “no questions asked” financial support for Frankie and his siblings, to simply being at the other end of the phone day or night if Michelle ever needed to talk.
In awe of all Gaye does on a daily basis, Michelle said: “Every Christmas she also sends a cheque out to the hundreds of children on her books to not only financially support the sick child but also their siblings as well.
“She recently also purchased a bungalow as a staycation place for families. She has it done to perfection with toys and an outside area for the kids.
“Despite the fact that she has hundreds of families to look after she rings all the parents regularly and if one of the children is in hospital she will put out on Facebook to her thousands of followers asking for prayers and support. It means the world.”
Sadly, Michelle noted that many people in the local area had never heard about Angel Wishes until Frankie was diagnosed.
Since, then she has held regular fundraisers to give back to the organisation and, now, she has a wild one in the making!
After a brief – but enthusiastic – conversation with General Manager, Craig Millar at The Bottle of Benburb pub, the plans for the next fundraiser were laid down, with the roped-in support of Michelle’s sister, Paula.
The ambitious plans will see several well-known country music acts descend on the normally quiet Tyrone village of Benburb on the evening of April 5 where ‘The Bottle’ will transform from bar to saloon for an evening of good music, good food and “amazing craic”.
In preparation, the trio launched a JustGiving page with a £2,000 target and this target was smashed within just a few days of going live.
They also have a restricted number of tickets available for online purchase – and are pleased to say – that it’s been a gold rush so far.
Explaining the ticketing system and itinerary of events, Michelle said: “Tickets are available online and printed copies can be picked up from the bar. They cost £15 and this gets you entry, a cowboy supper and a shot.
“We have Laura Rose and the Busker Man playing from 7-9pm and Olivia McVeigh, who has recently become the ambassador for Little Princess Trust, and she’s coming to shave dad’s head. Then we have Garth Brooks tribute act, Johnny Brooks from 9-11pm.
“There will be a raffle and an hopefully an auction and we finish up with Paula Kay on saxophone and a DJ. It’s also fancy dress optional but there is a fancy dress prize which Peter Lavery from McKinney’s will present.
“Every penny through ticket sales and fundraising will go to Angel Wishes.”
They also have big plans to ‘go live’ on the night with a running donation total intermittently displayed on screens around the bar.
Thankfully, Michelle says Frankie is “thriving”. He is now in his final year of chemotherapy, which is set to be completed of December 27.
She added: “He’s back to school and his immune system is still very low, but he’s doing really well. His hair has grown back, he doesn’t have his NG tube anymore and he’s put weight on.
For this reason, the fundraising event is all the more special as Michelle said she would also love to honour his final year of treatment.
“It would just be amazing for us three and Frankie to go to Gaye and say, “There you go, that’s what we have made for your charity – thank you”.
You can purchase tickets for the event online via Eventbrite here.
Make a donation to Angel Wishes directly through the JustGiving page here.
