We're Blown Away By Your Support

February 12, 2023
by Fiona Admin

Wine Fair Updates

We recently announced that our 16th Annual Charity Wine Fair will take place on Sunday March 12th in The Westbury Hotel from 1pm to 5pm. We asked you to come "sip and support" us as we raise funds for Fraser Holden who was diagnosed with MND last May. And WOW, the fair is exactly two weeks away but the show of support we have already received has blown us away. Tickets are now gone, the number of donations we've received towards the raffle has increased and thanks to the kindness of strangers we are now in a position where we are also going to host a "silent auction." This fair really is going to be our biggest and best yet, a fantastic day out and an excellent opportunity to discover new wines

For anyone finding out about this for the first time, we've included a bit about Fraser and what to expect on the day below. For those keeping a close eye on the updates, here they are. All the below information will also be in the booklet on the day which Dunmar Press are printing.

The Silent Auction

We're delighted to be trying our hand at something completely new at this fair. We've had some pretty rare and wonderful donations and have decided to host a silent auction to raise even more funds. This is pretty much an auction without the auctioneer and only written bids are accepted. This is also something that those of you who can not attend can get involved in too. The items available to bid on are

A framed (34" x 39") signed (by the winning team) Leinster Jersey from the 2009 Heineken Cup Final - This was kindly donated by Kate McMahon & Associates. It was previously bought for €1500 at a Charity Auction.

Dinner for two and an overnight stay in MacNean house, this was graciously donated by Neven Maguire and the best part is, there's a guaranteed date (priceless) for this August 29th and overnight accommodation in a Deluxe Room.

Garret Weldon has very generously donated a stunning pair of diamond stud earrings with the following specs, 0.32cttw, claw set on 18kt white gold, F colour and VS clarity. They have an RRP of €950.

Fraser Holden created a masterpiece (60cm x 60cm) called "Anything Is Possible" for this auction. Each piece is an original one-off that Fraser remarkably creates with his eyes, not one stroke of a paintbrush used. Creating art is the only time of the day when he is MND free.

Belfast artist James Baker who suffers from a rare genetic condition called PTEN Harmartoma Tumour syndrome has donated a beautiful "untitled" piece, it previously retailed for €800.

Housing by Harry J Lyons (the company Fraser previously worked for) has also donated a €400 voucher for Powerscourt Hotel & Golf Club.

All bids must be in writing and pictures of items are available on request. They will all be displayed on the day.

The Raffle

As the afternoon draws to a close we will hold the all-important raffle (people tend to get a little excited here, especially after a few drinks!) so make sure you don't lose your tickets!! We've some fantastic prizes on offer which were kindly donated by local businesses and community members. In alphabetical order, some of the prizes are

Dinner For Two & A Bottle Of House Wine In AMURI Restaurant, Chatham Street An Avoca Lambswool Throw RRP €99.95 2 x Sessions with Body Health Physio - Home Visit Covered €100 Voucher For Brown Thomas €200 Voucher For Costello & Costello Chipolo Apple set RRP €65 His Cluse Gift Set RRP €169.95 Hers Cluse gifts set RRP €129.95 €100 Voucher For The Eden House Gastropub, Rathfarnham A €200 Hamper Of Irish Made Goods From Irish Design Shop, Drury Street €250 Voucher For The Kerry Hanaphy Aesthetic Clinic, South William Street Dinner For Two At Las Tapas De Lola, Wexford St Dinner For Two At La Gordita, Wexford Street Nilai gift box RRP €150 Orbitkey Gift set €RRP €52 A voucher for "Afternoon Tea for Two with Champagne" from The Westbury, Balfe Street

Who We're Raising Funds For

Fraser Holden is husband to Orlagh and doting Dad to Oonagh. On the 24th of May last year their world fell apart when Fraser received the devasting news from his neurologist that the pain in his back he had been suffering from, was not a trapped nerve and was in fact Motor Neuron Disease. Since then his life and the lives of his wife Orlagh and daughter Oonagh, have irrevocably changed.

Motor Neurone Disease is an incurable condition that causes the progressive degeneration of the nerve cells that control the muscles. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting, it can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. There is no cure and Fraser was given a life expectancy of 2 to 5 years. In 7 months Fraser is 100% dependent on care. He no longer can do the very simplest of things, like scratch his head, feed himself, walk, or use his phone.

When Fraser was first diagnosed, he and Orlagh wanted to do something positive and raise much-needed funds for IMNDA. These amazing, brave people managed to raise almost €50k by sharing their personal experiences of MND and tirelessly fundraising. Unfortunately now due to the rapid decline in Frasers' health, they now have to concentrate on Fraser's needs and care and need all the support they can get.

Their story will be aired on Virgin Media later this Spring.

WHAT TO EXPECT

With almost 100 of the best wines in the country open on the day, we advise a little restraint but don't necessarily expect it. Three laps of the room should cover most of what's on offer from white, red, sparkling and fortified wines from around the world, you might even squeeze in a glass of water. (You'll be grateful on Monday) For those who want to make a proper day of it, Amuri Restaurant is only around the corner and they will be open on the day from 12pm to 8pm with some great offers for lunch and dinner for our wine fair guests, proof of attendance will be required and we would advise early booking.

We will provide you with a tasting sheet so do take note of the wines you like, take advantage of our delivery service and make sure to order before you forget what you like!!

Our tables will be managed by a number of our suppliers as well as some familiar faces! This is a great opportunity to ask them as many questions as you want and see what new wines they have. We are very grateful for their time and support, and especially grateful to our following overseas suppliers for making the trip.