Maria’s Ultimate Donegal Hamper raffle giving back to important charity

By Rachel McLaughlin • 3 years ago

Apr
2022

A Donegal woman is running the raffle of all raffles with all prizes sourced from Donegal makers!

Maria McBrien, from Killybegs and now living in Ballybofey, has gathered more than €1,600 worth of products kindly donated by Donegal producers and crafters. With 22 prizes up for grabs, there are plenty of chances of winning.

Her motivation is to give back to The Donegal Branch for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus. As Secretary of the branch, she has seen the life-changing support that they provide to families each year.

Maria was born with Spina Bifida and now, as she approaches her 40th birthday, she wants to do something special to give the charity a boost.

*Maria McBrien, draw organiser. More than €1,600 of prizes are up for grabs – prizes will be won individually in the draw on 4th Ma*y

“The main support I get is the financial support when I go to Dublin. I have to travel up a lot for appointments. And when I moved house they helped me find a railing for the wheelchair ramp,” Maria said.

Maria has also seen how powerful the community can be when families are faced with a diagnosis of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.

“When I was born my mum and dad had no support, there was no such thing as branches.

“I hope this raffle will raise awareness of the charity too. We lost our dear friend Frank Larkin in 2020, now I am the oldest with Spina Bifida in the group, but we are there to show families with new babies that they are not alone.”

The Donegal branch of SBHI is one of three charities to benefit from the proceeds of this year’s North West 10K on May 2nd. In the lead up to the event, all proceeds from the charities’ fundraisers will be shared between: Donegal Diabetes Parents Support Group, The No Barriers Foundation, Donegal Branch of Spinda Bifida & Hydrocephalus.