Musical evening raises £4,000 for Motor Neurone Disease
A musical evening organised by Lisburn man Brian Johnston has raised the fabulous sum of £4,000 for Motor Neurone Disease.
The hall at 2nd Saintfield Presbyterian Church was packed to capacity for the event, with the audience treated to a rich variety of music from Comber Music Club, husband and wife duo Jonathan and Iryna Johnston on flute and piano with solo piano pieces also performed by Iryna.
Brian, who compered the event, added a touch of humour to the proceedings and thanked the minister, session and committee of the church for making the hall available, and the ladies of the church who provided refreshments at the interval.
He also expressed his sincere thanks to all those who had given up their time to come along and support such a worthy cause and to all those who had sent donations.
Comber Music Club had everyone singing along and tapping their feet as they played selections of Irish, Scottish, country and sacred medleys.
Jonathan and Iryna, much in demand throughout Northern Ireland, played a selection of popular and light classical pieces. Highlights of their programme included a beautiful arrangement of Great Is Thy Faithfulness, which is also the title of their recently recorded sacred album, and a virtuosic performance of Bizet’s Carmen which led to a standing ovation.
It was an emotional evening for Comber Music Club which was formed almost 12 years go, and whose founder, Sammy Pollock was very ill in hospital. Thinking about him, club members closed the evening with one of his favourite hymns, which also resulted in a standing ovation, and it was with great sadness that they were to learn that Sammy had passed away the following morning.
After the event, there was a real buzz of excitement as the audience left, having enjoyed a wonderful evening’s entertainment, and in the knowledge that they had helped to raise such a significant amount for a most deserving cause.
Motor Neurone Disease is a rare condition which attacks the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work. It is a rapidly progressive, life limiting disease for which sadly, there is still no cure.