Down Syndrome Centre and Marymount fundraiser at Tinny Shed

A night of great fun and entertainment is guaranteed at the ‘Two Hearts One Night’ event at St Columbas Hall, Douglas, on Saturday, March 7, from 7.30pm.

Better known as the Tinny Shed, it will host a fundraiser in aid of The Down Syndrome Centre and Marymount with music by The Molly Maguire Band, followed by DJ Matthew, until late.

There will be spot prizes, raffle and an auction on the night with lots of prizes to be won or to bid on.

One popular auction item will be a flag signed by the winning European Ryder Cup team, which should help to raise funds for both charities on the night. They also have a fourball from Douglas Golf Club to auction on the night.

As well as the flag organisers Aidan and Diane Dalton have secured several jerseys from players and clubs in England and Scotland for the auction.

A signed Celtic Liam Scales jersey, along with others from David Harrington (Bolton), Mason Mount and Ryan Giggs and a signed Celtic jersey are among those secured for the night as well as a Cork hurling jersey.

Also tomorrow, Saturday, they will be selling raffle tickets as part of the fundraiser outside Tesco at Douglas Village shopping centre.

Entry is only €15, and tickets can be bought at: www.eventbrite.ie/e/two-hearts-one-night-tickets-1980306210183 or for more information contact info@dsccork.ie.

All are welcome to come along, with the purchase of tickets in advance encouraged as they are only a few left. Finger food will also be served at the fundraiser.

Mr Dalton would like to thank all involved in organising the night, as well as St Columbas Hall and staff for all their help ahead of the fundraiser. The event will tie in with World Down Syndrome Day on Saturday, March 21.

The Down Syndrome Centre Cork was founded in 2017 in response to a recognised need in the region for the provision of support and facilities for families of young children with Down Syndrome (DS). Founded and run by parents of children with Down Syndrome, the purpose of the Centre is to provide three core functions across Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.

They are diagnosis support; early intervention services (including physio, speech and language, and occupational therapy, and building lasting friendships and support networks for families. The Down Syndrome Centre Cork receives no government funding and relies entirely on fundraising and corporate and community support to deliver these vital services A spokesperson said: “We are delighted to have the fundraising support and partnership of Aidan and Diane Dalton, with their event ‘Two Hearts One Night’.

“This event is raising much-needed awareness and funds for us at Down Syndrome Centre Cork, and the wonderful Marymount University Hospital and Hospice.

“For The Down Syndrome Centre Cork, the event is even more special, as it will form an early celebration ahead of World Down Syndrome Day 2026.” The theme for this year’s day is #togetheragainstlonliness.

“Everyone feels lonely sometimes. But for many people with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, loneliness is a more common and painful experience.

“Their families can feel lonely too and feel cut off from support. A study found that 39% of people with intellectual disabilities often feel lonely, compared to 14% of people without disabilities. The solution is ‘real inclusion’, It’s about having good friendships and relationships. It’s the feeling of being valued and knowing you belong.

“As referenced by the World Down Syndrome Community it’s important to talk about the problem of loneliness and how we help children and families feel connected and that they belong. The ‘Two Hearts One Night’, is a wonderful example of how we can celebrate children, people and families living with Down Syndrome.”