A HUGELY popular Spa man will be remembered this April at a special event to raise funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).
The Primrose Black Tie Gala Ball in aid of IMNDA and in memory of Tommy Brosnan, was launched on Saturday at a photo call in Ballygarry House Hotel.
The Gala Ball is being organised by Tommy’s family and all funds will go directly to the IMNDA.
Tommy Brosnan, from The Spa, Tralee, passed away at the beginning of last summer after a five month battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
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His family have now gathered together to raise much needed funds for the IMNDA and also to raise awareness of the disease and to provide a support network for those who are currently diagnosed and their families.
“We wanted to remember the wonderful person who was my dad, and to raise awareness and funds for the IMNDA who provided much needed support and assistance to our family during his illness,” said Tommy’s daughter, Kate.
“We felt it was fitting to host a Primrose Ball in April, as Spring time was my dad’s favourite time of year. He had a wonderful appreciation of life, rebirth and nature, which he instilled in all of us whilst growing up. He loved all nature, but in particular the arrival of the very first Primrose flower marked to all of us the arrival of Spring each year,” said Kate.
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“Indeed, at home there was such excitement and anticipation about the arrival of the first Primrose every year, that Dad would give a one pound note to whoever brought back the first Primrose of the season to him. We all have such happy memories of us looking in the garden for that very first primrose and the pride of being first to present this to my dad and being richly rewarded with the grand prize of that one pound note!”
Christy Lehane, Chairman of Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone Disease, was at the launch.
“The role of Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone Disease is to both create awareness and provide a support network for those affected in the Kerry area. Fund raising is very important and we support this much needed initiative,” he said.
Dr. Helena Moore, Neurologist, attended the launch and said the disease is more common in Kerry than many other parts of the country.
“Kerry has a higher incidence of Motor Neurone disease than the national average, and currently there are approximately 16 people diagnosed in the county. However, Kerry has uniquely integrated the services provided between neurology and palliative care. This gives a valuable support service for both families and relatives in Kerry,” she said.
Tickets to the Primrose Black Tie Gala Ball are priced at €100 and the evening will include a pre-drinks reception, five course meal with wines, surprise celebrity guest appearances, auction and post-dinner musical entertainment into the night.
The night will be MC’ed by well known Newstalk presenter and journalist, Jonathan Healy.
For more information, telephone Kate or Niamh on 087 2920432/087 4189788 visit or follow the Facebook page Primrose Gala Ball.
