By Diarmaid Doherty
It was shortly after being crowned Donegal Fleadh champion in piano accordion last June that Leanne Lynch first began to experience feelings of pain and being unwell.
In July she was all set to represent her county in the Ulster Fleadh competition in Dromore, Co. Tyrone, but illness meant she couldn’t take part.
Very soon, Leanne from Doneyloop near Castlefinn was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Then began a punishing course of treatment as Leanne took her first steps in a life-changing battle with illness.
But Leanne, who turned 18 in August, has not put her life on hold. She has continued with her music and her studies and is inspiring those around her.
Main pic: Leanne Lynch and her dad Niall with all the gifts she received from Make a Wish.
The popular student at St. Columba’s College in Stranorlar is not just a talented musician. She plays GAA too – and her clubmates at Robert Emmet’s GAA club have been among those who have been there to offer support.
Her music teacher, Anne-Marie Devine has been teaching Leanne for a number of years and she said she isn’t surprised that the teenager has shown so much courage at a difficult time.
“She’s been coming to me for lessons since she was about ten years old,” Anne- Marie told the Donegal News.
“I’ve got to know Leanne and her family so well they are just so lovely. Leanne has been so positive since taking sick.”
Anne-Marie runs the popular Up-Beat Music Tuition school in Strabane which caters for budding musicians from Donegal, Tyrone and Derry.
Leanne and her music teacher Anne-Marie
She’s leading up a special fundraiser next month in which she hopes to raise money for the Make a Wish foundation.
The charity has already offered support to Leanne and funded the purchase of a new piano accordion as well as a host of gifts which the teenager was only too delighted to receive. The accordian was bought through O’Neills Music Shop, Gortin, Co.Tyrone where Sean O’Neill offered a very generous discount.
To show her gratitude to Make a Wish, Anne-Marie is organising a 10 hour Playathon on Sunday February 25 at Maggie’s Tavern in Carrigans.
Anne-Marie and a number of fellow musicians plan to play non-stop from 1pm to 11pm and they are inviting other musicians and singers to come along and join in on the event on the day.
A fundraising page has been opened on the Just Giving web page and already over £1,200 has been donated.
“I am hoping to raise £3,500 through this event and any support would mean everything in helping me achieve this goal,” Anne-Marie said.
“Every donation counts towards making every wish come true just like Leanne’s because for a child with cancer, hope is essential.”
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)