The stars were out in force on Sunday for a major fundraiser for a special baby girl.
TJ Needham, whose mum Claire McDaid is from Letterkenny, was the guest of honour at a ‘Country Sunday’ evening in Voodoo Letterkenny. TJ’s parents are fundraising for specialist surgery and physiotherapy in the hope that their little girl will walk. TJ (Tina Joan) was born with severe spina bifida meningocele. Now 20 months old, she is set to travel to the Peto Institute in Budapest for treatment later this year.
Grandad Patsy, Catriona Hegarty, Claire McDaid and baby TJ and Maggie Pyper McDaid at the Country Sunday in Voodoo Letterkenny
The Charity Country Sunday was officially opened by Honorary Sergeant Jack Beattie, with local entertainers Martin Orr & The Honky Tonk Heroes, Andy McGranaghan, Letterkenny Accordion Band, Stolen Relic, Maria McCormack and many more taking to the stage.
Garda Sergeant Jack Beattie and baby TJ meet the Letterkenny Accordion Band
A highlight of the evening was Catriona Hegarty’s brave head shave. The Letterkenny woman volunteered to lose her locks to collect more donations for TJ, and her on-street shave gathered plenty of attention! Catriona’s new look was courtesy of barber Vicky Gallagher.
Catriona’s head shave on the main street
The huge generosity shown by guests on the night is expected to be a great boost for TJ’s fund.
The treatment and all the special equipment she needs will cost an estimated €100,000. Claire has issued a massive thank you to everyone who came out to show their support on Sunday.
“Time is ticking, and if any more good-hearted people can arrange events, we would be very grateful,” Claire said.
The fundraising continues in July when Claire’s dad Patsy Mc Daid from Stralongford, and Maggie and Charlie McDaid, cousins of T.J., are doing a skydive!
Visit the main fundraising page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/life-changing-treatment-for-t-j/
Follow TJ’s journey at: Princess T.j Needham fundraising
