A young Lurgan girl who unexpectedly became an internet hit after singing as she worked has raised money for the social enterprise café which has helped her so much.
Eva Tennyson-Mooney, who has autism, has been doing a work placement in Café incredABLE in the town’s Jethro Centre as part of her life skills course at Southern Regional College.
Customers have come to love her singing and her rendition of Taylor Swift’s Blank Space recently clocked up more than 11,000 views in just a few days.
To show how much she appreciates all her colleagues and customers, Eva marked her 18th birthday on Saturday with a party and raffle during which she raised money for incredABLE as well as going door-to-door where she lived, resulting in a total of £400.
“Cafe incredABLE have been brilliant with her, so she thought the best thing to do was raise as much money as she could,” said mum Louise.
“She calls them her fan club because there are people who come in just to see her and hear her singing, which is lovely.”
A huge music fan, Eva is going to see Abba Voyage in London in August as part of her 18th birthday present and is also hoping to see Taylor Swift in concert next year if her mum can secure tickets.
“She just lives for musicals and music and we are regular visitors to the Grand Opera House in Belfast. If she hears a song, even from the 70s and 80s, she can tell you the artist within seconds. Her knowledge is unreal,” said Louise.
“She has always sung and performed. She has always wanted to be on stage. It’s her dream.”
Eva, who also suffers from Turner’s Syndrome and has Type 1 diabetes, has just completed her grade 6 in music, is studying for grade 5 in drums and is also learning the ukulele.
Although she has finished her work placement in Café incredABLE for the summer, she will be back again once the new college term starts in October.
IncredABLE also operates two other social enterprise cafés in South Lake Leisure Centre and Banbridge Leisure Centre, providing work opportunities for young people with autism and intellectual/learning difficulties.
