FUNDRAISER: Tara O'Donoghue Laing, pictured with Killarney singer Grace Foley, who are organising a fundraising event for a sick little girl. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

Two local ladies are pooling their talents together to help raise funds for a sick little girl suffering from Cerebral Palsy.

Photographer Tara O'Donoghue Laing from Firies has enlisted the help of Killarney singer Grace Foley, and arranged a special day out for families this March.

And, although the event, which includes a photoshoot, a three course meal and entertainment in The Brehon Hotel on Sunday, March 22, is a treat for families – it’s a hugely important day for little Heidi Patterson as funds raised with go towards vital physiotherapy.

Heidi was born in 2017 to Sinead and Steve Patterson, with a visual and hearing impediment and Cerebral Palsy.

Tara came to know the family after photographing the couple’s wedding in 2015.

And as her own son is one age with Heidi, Tara felt she wanted to help in some way.

“My son Dáithí is only a few months older than Heidi,” Tara told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

“I could really relate to how Sinead is going through this as a mom. I felt that surely we can make some bit of difference to relieve some of the financial difficulties. I’m hoping to raise €5,000 from the event which would cover physio for a year for Heidi. We wanted to use our own skills to give the most we can on the day.”

The event includes a raffle with lots of great prizes donated by local businesses, including dinner vouchers, spa treatments, hair and nail vouchers and even sports jerseys.

MC on the day will be former Kerry footballer Sean O’Sullivan. The family will also be there on the day, Tara added.

“Sinead will give a brief talk before the meal and Grace will sing a number of songs for the finale, including Heidi’s favourite song ‘True Colours’.”

Tickets at €45 per person are available from eventbright: Mother’s Day Fundraiser for Heidi.