ATHY’S Charlene Egan, author of Plucky Petals, will hold book signings on Tuesday 2 and Saturday 13 December in Shaws, Athy to continue her fundraising efforts in aid of a woman seeking treatment for multiple sclerosis.
Ms Egan says despite raising €1,000 so far, she still has 240 books to sell to help Yvonne Geoghegan. Ms Geoghegan (25), from Bagenalstown, Co Carlow is hoping to raise €80,000 so that she can receive a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation treatment in Mexico for her multiple sclerosis.
Michelle Masterson Power, Marie Eustace, Trish Dalton, Destiny Soki, Bernie Sibbald and Jackie Comiskey
The launch of the book was held on 18 November and was attended by Athy councillors Mark Leigh and Veralouise Behan, among others.
Ms Geoghegan couldn’t attend due to the side effects of her new medications, but her cousin and aunt were there.
Ms Egan is determined to raise more funds.
“I’ve had too many strangers come back to me saying it’s a good book. It’s just a matter of getting the word out”, she said.
Marie Geoghegan, Toby and Emma Holden
Two shop assistants in Pamela Scott bought a book when they went looking for prizes and told Ms Egan’s friend that the book “had them in tears”.
Cllr Veralouise Behan and Sheila Cooper
“It actually made me cry because it’s the first time that someone has said that that wasn’t a friend or family ... It made me believe in myself a little bit more”, said Ms Egan.
Cllr Mark Leigh and Tanya Shumska
She recommends it as a gift this Christmastime because it’s “a gift within a gift”: both a present for someone special and a gift for Yvonne.
The book signings will run from 9.30am until 6pm on both days in December. The books are also on sale in Winkles and Moore’s Life Pharmacy in Athy. Ms Egan will also be at Athy Christmas Market and will be doing two more raffles with leftover gifts from the launch.
