Big-hearted Arnie’s birthday fundraiser

PUT YOUR SHIRT ON IT. Arnie McDaid, who is holding a fundraising night in Ballymoney Utd Social Club on September 27th in aid of Causeway Down Syndrome in lieu of presents for his recent 65th Birthday, pictured along with his Neice Cindy McIntyre (holding prize tickets for comedian John Bishop's show) and her son Ben with a Man Utd shirt signed by Robin van Persie which is just one of the many prizes up for grabs on the night.INBM36-14 022SC.

For Arnie is raising funds for Causeway Down Syndrome Support Group in recognition of a family relative, little Theo Tasker, who he describes as “an inspiration”.

To raise funds for the group, Arnie and his niece Cindy McIntyre are organising a charity night in the Diamond Bar in Ballymoney this Saturday, September 13th.

The Diamond Bar and the Laundry Basket are laying on a barbecue on the evening with music being supplied by Causeway Trad Sessions.

Theo’s mum Dee Tasker (nee Deirdre Havelin) is a member of the Sessions group and they will be joined by Mark Blair and Michael E Thomas.

There will also be a raffle and an auction.

Admission to the event is just £5, payable at the door on the evening.

And that’s not all, Arnie and Cindy have also organised another charity night in Ballymoney United Football Club on Saturday, September 27th.

This fundraiser will feature local Country & Western artists along with Dee Tasker’s group Bri, Irish dancers and a disco.

Again, there will be a raffle and auction.

“The local shops and businesses have been so generous,” said Cindy. “They either donated prizes for the raffle and auction or made a donation to the charity.”

Among the fantastic prizes on offer in the auction are two tickets to John Bishop’s show in the Odyssey Arena in Belfast in December, supplied by the comedian himself.

And, there is also a signed Robin van Persie football shirt from Manchester United up for grabs to the highest bidder.

The Football Club event is now sold out but anyone interested in helping with these fantastic fundraisers can still go along this Saturday to the barbecue and music event in the Diamond Bar.