Dinner will reward Marie Curie and Macmillan Cancer Care

So touched were the family of the late Ballycastle man, Jim Sloan, with the attention he received from nurses during his illness that his sister and family members have organised a dinner dance in the Fullerton Arms, Ballintoy, on Friday, October 15, to reward the efforts of Marie Curie and Macmillan Cancer Care.

All proceeds will be split between the two charities.

Jim Sloan died on June 2 last year at the age of 56 after putting up a brave fight against Cancer.

His mother, Mrs. Sadie Sloan, died several months later on October 8 also of a cancer related illness. She was 86 years old.

Jackie Colgan's daughter, Jane, a lower sixth student at Ballycastle High School, worked for her uncle Jim at his garden centre at Carnduff, just outside Ballycastle, and formed a lasting friendship.

She and other members of the family were naturally very upset at his passing and that's when they decided to reward those in the nursing profession who had looked after him.

"Jim received fantastic support and we felt that nurses don't always get the gratitude and thanks they deserve.

“We wanted to show our appreciation to them and so began planning for the dinner at The Fullerton Arms," Jackie told the Times.

A four-course meal at The Fullerton will cost 20 and the community have responded in a way that has greatly encouraged the organisers.

"We have sold a number of tables so far.

“We have 80 tickets and hope to see them all away," she added.

Singers, Sally O'Brien and Carmel McCaughren, will be appearing to provide a musical end to the night and there'll also be raffle tickets 3000 of which are already on sale.

Anyone interested in attending or making a donation should contact Jackie, after 5 p.m., on 028 207 62661. Indeed, if people turn up on the night, it is anticipated they will be catered for.

This isn't the first time Jackie has organised a charity fund-raiser. Some years ago while working at the MS Unit in Ballycastle she raised money for that organisation.