by Sean Hillen
MORE than 100 people packed into Ionad Naomh Fionnan, Falcarragh to pay tribute to selfless volunteers known as ‘First Responders,’ comprising ordinary people who receive basic medical training and rush to help in emergency situations.
Attended by infants and the elderly alike, the ‘Light Up A Star’ event, hosted by Buíon Cheoil Sinsear Chloich Cheann Fhaola, the Senior band, was an evening of high-quality music and singing acts, all from the Cloughaneely area.
Host for the evening was the talented Aoife McNichle, senior band member.
From traditional Irish songs and music to contemporary ballads, some composed by performers, the acts included the Cloughaneely Senior and Junior Bands, singers Cora Moore, Clíona Gallagher, Darren O’Halloran, Sarah McGeever, Conor O’Ghallchoir and Hannah McFadden, the local Comhaltas group and Don E Gals, a trio of female ukulele players.
Patricia Harley and Annette McPaul read poignant prose passages as Gaeilge and as Bearla from the stage.
“First Responders provide a vital service to the community and we were delighted to show our support,” said Aine Quigg, secretary of the band.
“Being in a rural area, ambulances from Letterkenny and Dungloe can take quite a while to get here so the work of ‘First Responders’ can be the difference between life and death, where seconds, not just minutes, count.”
Happy festive faces at the First Responders fundraising event in Falcarragh.
One of over 350 such groups nationwide, First Responders, with 15 active members, responds to 100-120 call-outs a year in Falcarragh.
It was founded ten years ago by Shaun Boylan, Hugo McFadden and Maureen Gallagher.
“Receiving no government funding, we’re grateful for this generous response from the community we serve, the funds help with training and buying and maintaining life-saving defibrillators, which we’ve expanded from only one when we started to fifteen now,” said Shaun.
The community event also honoured local people who have died recently. Candles on stage featured the faces of 13-year-old Enya McMurrough from Gortahork who passed away in February and was a member of the junior band and beloved daughter of senior band member, Fionnuala.
Jamie Diver and Shaun Martin McClafferty, sons of Roise Diver and Sharon McClafferty, who died in a tragic collision, were also remembered.
The event also featured a special ‘Remembrance Tree,’ a Christmas tree hung with white stars with the names of deceased loved ones on them which local people purchased to support ‘First Responders.’
‘First Responders’ welcomes new volunteers.
If interested, contact falcarraghdefib@gmail.com or Mobile 0861013304.
