Dancing shoes were on at Kildare hotel for cancer support group fundraiser

THE KEADEEN hotel in Newbridge was the scene of some ferocious buck-leppin’ last Sunday when the Newbridge Cancer Support Group (NCSG) held their annual fund-raising gig.

“Oh, there must’ve been between 250 and 300 people turned up on the night! It was full and went on til nearly 1am!” laughed Kay Dempsey, treasurer of the NCSG and organiser of the night.

“It was music of the 60s and 70s, not people in their 60s and 70s – although there would’ve been a lot there drawing their pension!” she quipped.

The NCSG was started by local man Frank Cox back in 2011 and has been organising its annual concert for six years apart from during the pandemic.

Each year they generously split the pot with three or four other local charities.

This year it was the turn of St Mark’s Special School and the Daycare Centre, whereas last year it was for the Alzheimer’s Support Centre in Kildangan, Newbridge Meals on Wheels and the community centre.

“The figures for this year are not in yet, we’re still collecting, and in fact I was even in the bank this morning lodging money,” said Kay.

“It’ll be another week before we have the final total, but last year we raised nearly €4,500!” 

The music was provided by local band ‘Reunion’ a group of local musicians who get together every year to do a charity night for the NCSG.

The NCSG meets every Wednesday at the Ryston Sports Club in Newbridge between 11am and 1.30pm.

“We just want to put it out there that there might be more people who need to go for our personal support,” said Kay.

“We just have a chat, and a cup of tea, and we have therapists who come and offer treatments like breathing exercises and meditation, things like that.

“Membership at the moment is small, maybe 10 or 12, but people come and get their support and treatments and go back to their lives. People drop in and out all the time.”