Girls honour best friend with charity campaign

Girls honour best friend with charity campaign

22 August 2012

FOUR local girls have embarked on a major fundraising campaign in memory of their best friend.

The four — Sophie Laird, Orlaigh Brannigan, Rachel Manley and Nikita Murray — have taken part in a series of events after the death of Carryduff girl Courtney Anne Roddy on November 13 last year.

The girls, who all attend St. Colman’s High School, in Ballynahinch, raised £2,200 which was recently presented to the Ballynahinch branch of the PIPS suicide awareness and prevention charity.

As part of the campaign Orlaith, Rachel and Sophie, along with Sophie’s mum Angela, completed a sponsored sky dive in Coleraine on July 28, falling from 13,000 feet in a tandem freefall parachute jump.

They also organised a non-uniform day at St. Colman’s and gave a presentation to the pupils during an Assembly outlining the services provided by the PIPS programmes.

With the help of Maurice Massey, Manager at Carousel Bingo, in Downpatrick, where Sophie works, two special fundraising bingo nights were organised which was very successful. Carousel bingo kindly added a further donation to boost the overall total.

The girls would like to thank to Courtney’s family who gave their blessing and supported them throughout their fundraising drive. Special thanks also to their family and friends who made it all possible, especially Angela and Adrian Laird who fundraised tirelessly and generally helped to keep everything on track.

The girls would also like to thank everyone who supported their efforts, bought tickets, sponsored their sky-dive or attended the bingo nights.

Thanks also to St. Colman’s High School staff and pupils, the numerous businesses around the Downpatrick area who generously donated prizes for the bingo and raffle. Special thanks to Ann Graham and Billy Strain who fundraised personally on the girls’ behalf and to Maurice, Matthew and Damian and the staff at Carousel Bingo for the generous donation and their assistance during the charity nights.