Raise your mug to remember Leap's Toni and aid Marymount

BY AISLING MEATH 

A SKIBBEREEN woman is holding a fundraiser for Marymount Hospice in memory of a much-loved Leap woman who lost her battle with cancer. 

Suzanne O’Connor, who runs Cre Pottery with partner Sophie Miall, is hosting an event ‘Paint a mug for Marymount’ on Saturday March 3rd. The event will also mark the first anniversary of what is West Cork’s first paint-your-own-pottery studio, as well as remembering Toni McDermott who died from cancer last Summer. 

‘Sophie and I were right in the middle of setting up the pottery when things began getting very serious with Toni’s health,’ said Suzanne.

Suzanne lost both her parents to the disease when she was still a teenager and Toni, along with her husband Paddy, who predeceased her, had cared for her and her sister Ellen, as well as other children, after those losses.

‘Toni was like a second mother to me, she had such a big heart and was always helping everybody. I am delighted that she got to see the studio before she died. She gave me plenty of advice about it anyway,’ reminisced Suzanne. 

‘She was painting mugs in the studio with a group of friends the week before she went into Marymount. I want to raise awareness of what a great facility Marymount is and how vital it is to keep on fundraising and keep it going. I couldn’t have gotten through last year without their support and Sophie was amazing as well.’

The event is for all the family and will take place from 10am onwards. After 6pm it will be adults only, as you can then bring your own bottle if you wish. 

Participants are invited to drop by the studio to paint or decorate their own mug for €10 each.  

Suzanne and Sophie are hoping to get at least 100 mugs painted at this fun charity event.

Sophie added: ‘There will also be donation buckets on the premises before and after the event. No experience is necessary and even if you don’t think you can paint, we will have stencils, stamps and sponges here. We will also be providing fresh baking and coffee.’

Paula McGovern head of communications and fundraising for Marymount said they were delighted to hear of the event. ‘We need to raise €3m each year through fundraising initiatives to continue providing our services, so we’d like to thank the organisers of this event and everybody for supporting Marymount,’ she said. For more see Cre Pottery Studio on Facebook.