Lorraine Keane urges the women of The Avondhu area to bag a bargain at Buy My Dress 2016
Irish broadcaster and style icon, Lorraine Keane is smokin’ hot in her red dress and needs a little help from mini Fireman Jake Lynch to cool down! Lorraine is urging the women of Cork and The Avondhu area not to miss the great fashion and bargains to be found at The Down Syndrome Centre’s annual fundraiser, Buy My Dress, taking place in The Imperial Hotel in Cork and in other venues around the country on this Saturday, 8th October from 11am to 5pm.
Now in its 8th year – Buy My Dress is the biggest annual fundraising drive for The Down Syndrome Centre who support the needs of over 180 children with Down syndrome and their families without any State aid.
The event sees pre-loved designer and occasion dresses find a new home and receives huge support from the public. Women all over Ireland dig into their wardrobes to donate lightly worn or brand new special occasion dresses. Last year over 20,000 dresses were donated and changed hands raising vital funds for the centre.
Buy My Dress is every fashionista’s delight and a firm favourite on the fashion calendar. Dresses from all seasons and virtually all styles and sizes are available – from casual day dresses to formal evening wear, to designer and celebrity dresses. Prices average between €10 and €30 with designer dresses going for a modest premium.
Nicola O’Halloran and Sinead Healy Vennettilli are leading the event in Cork. “It has been our absolute pleasure coordinating the Buy My Dress Cork event this year. The kindness and generosity that has been extended to us has been overwhelming. It’s amazing the difference we all can make when we pull together with the same end result – to support children with Down syndrome” said Sinead. Nicola added “If you have a dress in excellent condition you can bring one along to donate at the event”.
Lorraine Keane says it is a fashion event not to be missed. ‘Most people can’t get over the style and prices and end up going home with a bag full of bargains and a new wardrobe for the year ahead. It’s a great girl’s day out and guilt free shopping because you’re supporting a great cause!’
As well as receiving donations from the Irish public, many well-known celebrities support the event. A host of Irish stars have pledged dresses this year, including Amy Huberman, Charlie Murphy, Deirdre O’Kane, Sarah Greene, Victoria Smurfit, Ruth Bradley, Caroline Morahan, Katherine Thomas and of course Lorraine Keane and many others.
“If you love fashion or are looking for that perfect dress for a special occasion – then Buy My Dress is the event for you”, says Sharon Dagg, CEO of The Down Syndrome Centre. “Buy My Dress is a cornerstone in our fundraising calendar and the support of Lorraine Keane and so many other women that get behind the event is a vital support and helps us to make a real difference in the lives of the children and the families we support”.
About The Down Syndrome Centre
The Down Syndrome Centre opened with the mission of helping children with Down syndrome to reach their full potential by providing cutting edge early intervention services including SKIP, Team 21 Tots and vital services such as Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.
The charity also had the vision to create a family focussed centre for parents of the children using the service. The centre is a place for parents to meet, get information and advice, make friends and build support networks and communities.
DSC does not receive any State support so they rely on fundraising for 100% of their funds.
Visit www.downsyndromecentre.ie to find the event closest to you.
