A real tonic for our Davy!

Davy was unable to take part in the sit out this year due to ill health, but thanks to a band of volunteers, Davy’s annual fundraiser went ahead pulling in over £17,000, giving him a total of £31,279.90 for the year.

Speaking to The Times last week, just as the final pennies were being counted, Davy said he was delighted that the public had come out in force to support the volunteers who stood in for him.

“I am over the moon.

“I was concerned about my sit out.

“But I had no need to worry because my good friends Denis McNeill and Darren Pollock stepped up to the mark and put together a band of volunteers to take over my chair, I am over the moon with how it all went.”

Davy went on: “It was really hard for me this year not doing the sit out, I was a bit emotional about it all, but I was down most days checking in with the volunteers.

“It was a great tonic for me to be able to do the last hour of the sit out on Christmas Eve - it was a like getting a new lease of life, better than any prescription,” joked Davy.

“It was nice to get back into the seat, and it was humbling that so many people were asking about me during the sit out.”

Thankfully Davy is now on the mend.

He went on to thank those who put money into his churn, the volunteers who stood in for him, the staff of Moores of Coleraine, the PSNI for their assistance, St Patrick’s Church, Rev Robert McMullan, Danske Bank and to anyone who brought food and drinks to the volunteers.

Later in January Davy will be hosting a night in the Lodge Hotel to present his cheques to his chosen charities. He hopes that as many of his sit out volunteers will come along to the presentation night.