Lord Mayor’s Charity Ball 2022 Online Auction

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland is holding an online auction as part of the Lord Mayor’s Charity Ball 2022 which takes place tomorrow night in aid of three great charities Aoibhneas, FirstLight and Ruhama.    

If you are not attending the Ball but would still like to support the three charities, you can do so through an online auction of prizes including an eclectic mix of art, pieces of sporting history, premium tickets to sold-out concert events and items of jewellery, ranging in value from €50 to €10,000. There are no reserves, as all items must sell.

Items include a framed work by well-known Irish artist James Brohan; a sizeable painting of rugby legend Brian O’ Driscoll by former rugby professional Ed Williamson; a certified sapphire and diamond cluster ring; a framed boxing glove signed by Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano (who face each other for the biggest women’s fight of all time on 30 April!); and tickets to Garth Brooks in Croke Park in one of his final stadium concerts, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Diana Ross, The Pixies and Bryan Adams.  All auction items have been donated and proceeds will be shared by charities Aoibhneas, FirstLight and Ruhama.

The Lord Mayor’s Charity Ball hosted by Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland and sponsored by MHL who manage the Round Room, Fire Restaurant & Steakhouse and Sole Seafood & Grill will be held tomorrow night in aid of the three excellent charities. 

To view the items on offer go to https://app.galabid.com/lmcb22

The online auction is open to until 9:00pm Saturday April 30th and to register text lmcb22 and your full name to 086-1803786. 

ENDS

 Notes to the Editor:

The Lord Mayor’s Charity Ball:

The Lord Mayor’s Charity Ball has been an annual event for many years.  Since 2013 it has raised €522,826.45 which has been split between 22 charities. This year’s Ball takes place in the Round Room at the Mansion House and is hosted by Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland. The Ball is organised by the Office of the Lord Mayor and is sponsored by MHL who manage the Round Room, Fire Restaurant & Steakhouse and Sole Seafood & Grill. Some 450 guests will attend. All ticket sales’ proceeds will go to the three charities as well as the proceeds from the on-line auction, and an in-room auction and raffle during the Ball. 

Details of the three charities

Aoibhneas

Aoibhneas Domestic Abuse Support for Women and Children started as the Ballymun Women’s Refuge Group in 1986 by a group of local women who identified the need for a short-term refuge for women and children fleeing their homes because of domestic violence.   What started out as a refuge over 30 years ago has continue to grow always in response to best meet women and children’s needs through each stage of the cycle of domestic abuse.

Aoibhneas provides a wraparound service delivery that takes a family from crisis to recovery, ensuring that families affected by domestic abuse have access to a suite of supports and interventions that meet them at every stage of their journey through access to crisis refuge accommodation, presentation at the gate, 24h Free Helpline, court preparation and accompaniment and a range of community and outreach supports that work with families by providing support, education, training as well as creating a network of professionals to create positive change.   

Aoibhneas aims to empower each person to live in freedom and safety from domestic abuse through a healing process that nurtures and enables positive growth and societal change.

Website: www.aoibhneas.ie

FirstLight

Originally known as Irish Sudden Infant Death Association.  

The sudden loss of a child is one of the most unimaginable pains a family can experience. Every year in Ireland children die suddenly, unexpectedly and often without explanation.  FirstLight is here to support families experiencing such loss and has been doing so for the last 45 years.

Crisis intervention, home visits, couple, one to one and Child therapy services are provided by FirstLight’s qualified, accredited, insured and Garda vetted counsellors and psychotherapists to bereaved families nationwide, free of charge.

In 2021 FirstLight provided professional services to 162 families and to a further 45 bereaved persons in crisis.  While some financial support is provided by State agencies, it is necessary to fundraise on an ongoing basis to support provision of our professional services.

Website: www.firstlight.ie

Ruhama

Ruhama is a unique National NGO that provides support for women impacted by prostitution and sex trafficking. Founded in 1989, Ruhama provides a range of frontline services designed to co-create a future free from sexual exploitation. Services include: Casework, Counselling/Trauma Therapy, Education/Development Programme, Outreach & Bridge to Work Project. Ruhama delivers training to other frontline service providers so they can support and respond effectively to those affected by prostitution and sex trafficking. Ruhama also advocates and engages in policy work on issues related to sexual exploitation at national and international level to provide the legislative and policy framework to support its work.

Website:   www.ruhama.ie