I haven't done a blog post in a while because there was A LOT of this going on.

 

And it was wonderful. Then, it was back at it!

Freshly recharged from my holidays, and two days post jet lag, myself and Phil headed to Naas, Co. Kildare to the fundraising concert organised by Pete and Pam Kavanagh (she says it was him, he says it was her) for Thriveabetes 2018.

All I had to do was show up and say a few words, which was harder than it sounds, especially when you only put those few words together in the hotel room two hours before the concert. :-O

First, we had a Seat raffle for a gorgeous rose gold Citizen ladies watch worth €230 donated by jewellers Macintyres of Edinburgh, which was won by Launa, who without even thinking donated it back to Thriveabetes. The watch was then auctioned after the break and raised another €100.

Then, Date night truly began.

The Opening act was Pete Kavanagh and his guitar who was joined by the magical haunting voice of Pam, who many of you will know from the Diabetes Online Community. Before finishing their son, Cayden, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 18 months ago, joined his parents on stage to give us the blues on his harmonica. See photos below.

Next we had “Hally and the Hymns”, who is currently undertaking a project called “Peeling Onions” where he releases one song and music video every week for the entire 2017.

After the break we were thrilled with the golden voices of the Cahill Sisters accompanied by their brother Mark, who sang songs I fondly remember from my teens. I truly look forward to hearing their own music.

Then, the Clare (via Kildare:-D) man himself, Luka Bloom, he has been formally adopted by Clare, whether he likes it or not, who raised the roof.

The DOC selfies.

A diabetes fundraiser is a great place to meet some of the diabetes online community and meet some new offline ones. This one was no different-I wasn't out of the car park when I bumped into my first DOC’ers of the night :-)

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Missing from selfies was Rebecca Flanagan - where did you go???

The Thank Yous.

Raffle Ticket sellers; Pam’s sister, Claire, Steph Barclay and Phil Miesle. You worked hard and made it count!

Brian Corrigan, fellow D-Tribe member and Thriveabetes organiser for donating his "sound" & light services.

Another member of the diabetes community, Ben Kelly for his talented MC services.

The local businesses in Naas who sponsored fantastic raffle prizes;

• Conway Photography,
• BM Stairlifts Ltd,
• Donegans On Main Street Naas,
• Jam Music Company,
• David Murphy Naas Pharmacy,
• Barker and Jones, Naas,
• Meadows and Byrne,
• Turnstyle Charity Shop Naas,
• Formal Wear Naas,
• Ben Kelly Photography
• Duck & Cup Café
• Mary Power-Cooney theatrics

And pre booked ticket prize from jewellers, Macintyres of Edinburgh

 

Our musical artists who donated themselves;

• Hallymusic,
• The Cahill Family,
• Pete Kavanagh Music
• and Luka Bloom.

They were all outstanding and I encourage you to listen.

• The Moat Theatre and all the volunteers involved in running it. We know what that's like.
• Celine Garvey from KildareFM’s ArtyFacts
• Aisling Conway photographer from Kildare Now Newspaper

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And most importantly The Kavanagh Family, who came up with the idea, ran with it and were put through the ringer all last week pushing the publicity for the concert. They raised a whopping €1,600 after costs.

Roll on Thriveabetes 2018 on Saturday 24th February in The Red Cow Hotel, Dublin. Speakers and the programmes are being finalised soon and Registration will open in October.

Watch this space!