Overwhelmed by support for mock wedding cancer event
ORGANISER Aidan Shevlin has admitted that he was overwhelmed by the show of support he received for his mock wedding fundraiser on Saturday.
The event, in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, went better than the Stabannon man could ever have hoped for as Stabannon Parish Hall was overflowing for the wedding before over 300 guests attended the reception in The Fairways Hotel that night.
Stabannon players Tara Lynch and Liam Butterly were the bride and groom on the day as thousands of euro was raised by cancer survivor Aidan and his wife Sinead.
Speaking to The Dundalk Democrat about the day, Shevlin said he couldn't believe how well it had went.
"I simply couldn't have foreseen how it unfolded. People said to me throughout the day that they were proud of me for doing something like this but, in truth, I was the one who was proud of them for the turnout on the day.
"Anyone can come up with a fun idea but we needed bums on seats to make it a success and we had a huge turnout. There was over 300 in the Fairways for the reception and all 110 seats in the Parish Hall were occupied while a lot more people were standing around and more were outside," he said.
Shevlin was diagnosed with thyroid cancer just months short of his 30th birthday in 2006. Despite beating the illness, it returned in 2008. On each occasion his wife Sinead was pregnant – firstly with twins Ryan and Dylan and then later with daughter Lauren.
After receiving radiotheraphy, Shevlin eventually beat the illness for a second time and after a six month lay-off from work is now back training with Stabannon Parnells.
It was in his darkest days of battling cancer that he dreamt of a day like Saturday's and he was overjoyed to see it become a reality at the weekend.
"The day really went over and above what I expected. It started out as a conception when I was in hospital because I said if I beat it then I'd like to give something back.
"Everyone got something out of it though. People are talking about it in the parish like it was a tonic. It really was just what everyone needed and it will definitely be talked about for years to come.
"I'd just like to thank everyone who came along and anyone else who got involved in any way," he said.
Shevlin had particular praise for 'parish priest/MC' Nicholas Butterly and for local act Vertigo for their generosity in waiving their regular fee to play a reception.
A total figure of the sum raised was not finalised at the time of going to press although a presentation will be made to the Irish Cancer Society in the coming weeks.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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