Eire Og fundraiser raises nearly £3k for Jacqueline

THE fundraiser held in Eire Og in aid of helping a Craigavon woman - now living in America - to continue her university education and remain with her son, has raised nearly £3,000.

Hundreds of people attended the event to show their support for Jacqueline Toman (30), formerly from Drumbeg, who feared that she would be deported from the United States and separated from two-year-old Justin.

However, the people of Lurgan and Craigavon have rallied to ensure the mother remains in Virginia by helping her raise $12,000 to pay her university fees and thereby securing her student visa status.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jacqueline’s aunt, Dolores Fearon, helped organise the event and said that she and her neice had been “absolutely overwhelmed” by the generosity and kindness shown by local people.

Said Dolores: “I would like to thank everyone who participated and purchased tickets for the event, or contributed in any way. We couldn’t have done it without you.

“The event was a resounding success. We raised £2,792. The poker night, organised by Jimmy Gibson, raised £560. Everyone was well fed thanks to Finton O’Hagan butchers, Pat O’Hagan, who supplied the sausages, Hovis, who supplied the baps and Lurgan Classics, who sponsored the lemonade, Patton Prints for printing leaflets and posters advertising the event. Thanks also go to Pat Morgan, who was DJ, Kieran Corr for compering the raffle, Anne Lavery for face-painting and organising the bird show - as well as Tony Devlin for providing the venue.”

“Special thanks goes to Maureen Beckett, Lorraine McCade, Darren Hilly, Patrice Murray and Kirsty Toman for all their hard work and support.”

Dolores concluded: “Jacqueline has been left speechless and says that she is feeling the love for Lurgan and Craigavon.”

Related topics: