The Cork Jazz Ball in aid of Spinal Injuries Ireland is set to take place at the Clayton Silver Springs Hotel in Cork on Saturday 27th October 2018.
The event will be a jazz best/black tie affair and will feature a prosecco reception, a four-course meal with wine, prizes, music and dancing until the early hours.
“The great 7-piece line-up ‘Thank Funk’ will be our main act on the night’ playing music from their fantastic repertoire of songs.
John Twomey, Ireland’s most decorated Paralympian athlete, decided to organise this upcoming ball in aid of Spinal Injuries Ireland (SII) as he saw first-hand the important work SII carry out in his local community.
“Currently, Spinal Injuries Ireland provides support to 221 people and their families in Cork and over 1,800 people nationwide. SII provides a range of services to people living with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) including its Community Connect service whereby a Community Outreach Officer visits clients in their homes to offer active support and goal setting along with providing up to date information on applying for grants.”
He also explained that SII provides a Peer Mentoring service which links volunteer peer support mentors with people living with spinal cord injuries in their local area.
“This is an amazing service as it links people with new spinal cord injuries with people who are further along in their injury to advise them and provide an additional support network that they can access at any time.”
Lastly, SII provides a Family Support service which provides support to family members directly. This is a separate service that SII provide in addition to offering support to the person with a spinal cord injury.
SII service user Ruth Shaw (44) from Cork has a spinal cord injury and she linked in with SII when she was initially diagnosed.
She said: “’I first came into contact with Sll when I was a patient at the NRH. When I went home I was put in touch with an Outreach Officer called Philippa, who has been a great help to me. She sorted out my disability benefits and grant; in particular she got me a HSF grant for 10 physiotherapy sessions. Mostly Philippa is a friend and understands my needs. Just even to meet for a cup of tea and a chat is great. Knowing she’s there when days are tough is so important to me.”
John said that he is excited about the upcoming ball in aid Spinal Injuries Ireland and added: “The proceeds from this ball will provide much-needed funding to Spinal Injuries Ireland so that they can continue to provide essential services for people living with spinal cord injuries in Cork.
“It is so important that people living with SCIs continue to have access to the services that Spinal Injuries Ireland provide within the community. It is vital for people living with disabilities in Cork that these services not only continue but expand on a much larger level.”
All money raised on the night will go towards helping SII deliver increased services to clients and families living with spinal cord injuries in Co. Cork.
The price for a table of 10 people at the Cork Jazz Ball in aid of SII is €1,000 per table (€100 per person).
For more information or to book tickets contact Philip at SII at philip@spinalinjuries.ie
