THE Down Syndrome Kerry ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ fundraising event took place last Friday in the INEC and it was a fantastic night of entertainment from start to finish, raising €20,000.
The 24 dancers included six adult members with Down Syndrome – Amy Taaffe, Cathal Griffin, Conor Griffin, Jessica Power, Mary Claire McCarthy and Paul Scanlon.
The remaining dancers were Aidan O’Mahony, Aidan O’Connor, Angie Smith, Brendan Fuller, Cathal Flaherty, Ciara Griffin, Claire Molloy, Danielle O’Sullivan, Dermot Moriarty, Eve O’Donoghue, Grainne Healy, Irene Kavanagh, Kevin Griffin, Mary Lawlor, Paudie Power, Sean Taaffe, Susanna Holden and Tom Lucey.
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The judges for the night were Michael O Muircheartaigh, Toireasa Ferris, Elaine Canning (Soprano and also Vocal Coach on the Voice of Ireland), DJ Gavin O’Leary. The two finalists were voted by the audience.
The winning couple was to be selected by the judges but choosing a winning couple from the two proved impossible so the joint winners on the night were Cathal Griffin and Mary Claire McCarthy and Paudie and Jessica Power.
“We are overwhelmed with the response to this event and we want thank everyone for their continued support, it means so much to our members,” read a press release from Down Syndrome Kerry. “We are extremely grateful to the Bon Secours Hospital Tralee Community Initiative Programme for their financial assistance and support for this event. We would like to thank our 24 dancers who put in a huge amount of time and effort in preparation for the night and also our choreographer Joe Burkett whose talent and enthusiasm ensured that the show was enjoyed by all.
Down Syndrome Kerry Branch is a vibrant voluntary organisation which provides support to over 260 members and their families throughout the county of Kerry. DSK is financed completely through fundraising. Scroll down for photos...