I'm sure the refined residence of Dublin's Lord Mayor is a quiet place of a Sunday morning. Yesterday, however, the Mansion House was abuzz with children and entertainers for the launch of the first ever Serious Fun Day, in aid of Barretstown, the camp for children with serious illnesses.
A host of celebrities joined Lord Mayor Cllr. Catherine Byrne in welcoming young children whose lives have been affected by serious illnesses such as leukaemia, haemophilia and renal disorders, but who have been to Barretstown and benefited from it's facilities and general joie de vivre.
Among those enjoying some serious fun yesterday were TV3 presenter Alan Hughes, You're A Star judge Linda Martin and songwriter Karl Broderick, all of whom are involved in this year's best panto, Cinderella at the Liberty Hall theatre. In fact, they were donning their costumes after lunch for the matinee show.
Ireland rugby player Gordon D'Arcy was there too. But for his large frame, I nearly didn't recognise him disguised in comedy wig and moustache. Gift Grub star Mario Rosenstock was joined by the gorgeous Aoibhínn Ní Shúilleabháin, who is the reigning Rose of Tralee.
Serious Fun Day, which will take place on February 15th (which also happens to be International Childhood Cancer Day), is a fundraising initiative which Barretstown hopes will help them to raise funds towards their €4.5 million target for 2006. This money helps to bring over 1,500 children to the therapeutic camps at Barretstown free of charge. It also means that their parents and siblings can also attend family camps.
The message is clear for Serious Fun Day - raise funds to help more children with serious illnesses enjoy some Serious Fun at Barretstown (which was founded by Hollywood actor Paul Newman). People are being asked to hold coffee mornings, sponsored walks, silences … whatever they want!
Check out www.barretstown.org for more information.
