At the Q Ball were: 1. Eoin and Siobhan Bastible; 2. Anne O’Sullivan and Aisling Quigley.
Last Saturday, saw the return of one of the most popular balls on the charity circuit - ‘The Q Ball’ . The event is named after Philly Quinlan, a key fund-raiser for Spinal Injuries Ireland (SII), after himself being confined to a wheelchair after a serious accident. Now in its 5th year the ball took place in Dublin’s’ newly refurbished Burlington Hotel.
Over 750 packed the ballroom and who said that we are in a recession! Guests were treated to a cocktail reception in Bellini’s bar, and then a 5 course banquet, with delicious wines courtesy of Gilbeys- all under the watchful eye of John Comnee together with GM John Clifton who have both made a welcome return to the Burlo. All eyes were on Andrew Gunne who did a brilliant job as Auctioneer, raising over €120,000. Entertainment was provided by band of the moment - The New Electric’s - 3 boys from Tallaght who are taking the music industry by storm.
Over the years, the Q Ball has raised over €300,000 to help Spinal Injuries Ireland develop a number of key programmes, including the opening of a Cyber Café for patients in the National Rehabilitation Hospital, the development of a Resource Centre and the recruitment of two support and outreach staff, who travel the country visiting people with spinal cord injuries in their own homes and encouraging them to begin the courageous journey back towards an active life.
Guests who attended included model du jour Alison Canavan who is home for a short while, publican David Chawlke, Greg Molins and Emma Barnett, Andrew and Lynne Gunne (who are expecting their first child in February), fellow auctioneer Paul Grimes, Eoin Bastible and his sister Siobhan who did a great job as MC, Michael and Sarah Stafford, Emily O’Donnell and Jamie Magee.
