Gala bash to fund Catríona’s bucket list

The days of the big charity balls may be over but there’s still an appetite to put on the glad rags when there’s a good cause – and all the better if it’s a local one.

This is exactly the case for Tee’s Bucket List Ball which takes place in the Radisson Blu Hotel this Saturday.

The event will help raise funds for Catriona O’Brien’s bucket list, one she needs to fulfil as soon as she possibly can after being diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease earlier this year.

She has had symptoms since last November but only got the official diagnosis in April. Since then she has had good days and bad but above all, she has kept a strong positive mental attitude and has announced a list of things she wants to do while she has the time and the ability to do them.

Tee has already ticked off the skydive but she wants to swim with dolphins, do a safari in Africa, take a helicopter ride and visit the Cadbury chocolate factory in Dublin.

She was born and raised in Limerick but has lived in Galway city since she was a young adult. Tee currently lives in Bohermore.

Her son Levi describes her as “an extremely positive and bubbly person. She is constantly getting mail on Facebook from other ALS patients telling her how inspiring she is to them and that she often makes their day better and the disease more tolerable.

“She is humorous in everything she does in life including dealing with ALS (she often jokes and makes fun of herself and can laugh about it. She has made me stronger seeing the way she deals with things. I see small problems as just that, small. Get on with it. If my mother can stay positive in her situation, the rest of us should be able to with whatever our small problems are,” he added

The fundraising ball takes place this Saturday (September 6) and tickets are still available from The Stock Exchange and the Radisson Blu Hotel.