It was eyes down and game on for an evening of wining, dining, dancing, bingo and bling on Thursday 19 November to fight back against meningitis
One hundred and eighty ladies joined in the fun at the fourth Ladies Blingo evening at Clifton College, raising £18,000 for a Life for a Cure, the Bristol-based charity working with us towards eradicating the disease.
Guests, who were encouraged to dress up in their finery for the evening, were treated to a glass of fizz on arrival and a three course meal, with games of bingo between courses.
A surprise visit by six ‘Butlers in the Buff’ selling Wishing Balloon Gifts caused quite a frenzy.
The evening was organised by Michelle Bresnahan, who, with her family founded a Life for a Cure, following the death of her 16-year-old son Ryan from meningitis in March 2010.
Michelle’s campaign to eradicate the disease that took Ryan’s life has already seen her raise over £360,000 and be nominated for a top national award.
Turning tragedy into a positive
“It was always our intention when we started that some good would come of losing Ryan. The campaign has been a wonderfully pro-active way of turning our tragedy into some sort of positive and we believe Ryan would be proud."
“We just want to do all we can to find vaccines to wipe out the disease to stop other families from feeling the pain we feel every day after losing Ryan."
“Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the Blingo evening such a success – we’ll see you next year for our fifth fundraising Blingo evening.”
Michelle Bresnahan
“What Michelle has achieved, aided by her family and friends, is phenomenal."
“This programme has raised nearly £400,000 so far for innovative and pioneering research which is making a real difference in tackling this disease."
“Her support will help us achieve our ultimate vision, where no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need.”
Steve Dayman MBE, Meningitis Now founder
*Cover photo credited to Martin Daber Photography
