Big birthday charity night raises £1000 for Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary

Kenneth Clarke welcomed everyone and Rev Nick Dark opened in prayer.

The compere for the night was Leonard Shields from Annalong who kept the audience entertained with old fashioned jokes and yarns.

The Low Country Boys from Newtownards and local vocalist Susan Donaghy and her daughter also attended.

During the supper, Norman an ex racing rescued greyhound was introduced by his owner George, a sanctuary board member Norman who had his ears cut off to remove IT tatoos and was thrown from a moving car and abandoned in Newtownabbey.

Pastor Brian Madden from Maghaberry Elim who has a rescued dog spoke of his love for rotweillers an intelligent dog used in the past as guide dogs. His present dog is walked every evening in Cove Hill for at least six miles.

Local auctioneer Rodney Clare used his wit to sell the 30 lots at auction sponsored by a number of traders.

Over £1000 was raised for the animal charity and a memorable evening with the Burns night. The Burns night theme concluded with Auld Lang Syne.

Among the traders were Smyth Patterson Ltd, Kens Hardware, Finlays Centra, Wheelbarrow Moira, McCartneys Moira, Denis Wilson of Glenavy, Centra Ballinderry, John Hanna Cycles, Mackeys Bakery, Windmill Stores Ballymacash,

Greens Food Fayre, Glenavy Garden Centre, Sam McConnell AGMC Merchant, Frame Game Maghaberry, Cafe Vic Ryn, Brookhill Camellias, PRM Group, Browns Stores, Keys Homeware, Moira Bakery, Rockvale Nurseries, Mace Maghaberry, Yew Tree Farm Meats, Cribstown Garden Centre, Northern Tree Services, Muriel Magee Chiropractic, David Evans fruit and vegetables.