A FUNDRAISER for research into motor neurone disease is to be held at the end of the month, organised by a sister of TV broadcaster Colm Murray.
Catherine Murray said she organised the fundraiser after being inspired by RTÉ documentary The Inside Track, in which her brother spoke frankly about his illness.
The event, an evening of country, folk, traditional and bluegrass music, will be held on April 25th at the Leopardstown Pavilion in Dublin.
Performers will include Foster and Allen, Eleanor Shanley Friends, TR Dallas and Bending the Strings Blue Grass Band.
Murray was diagnosed with the disease in March 2010.
He told this newspaper in an interview last year that he had sought medical advice because of an ongoing limp “which was beginning to slow me down and worry me”. He said that after the documentary aired, lots of people were in contact about how they might help.
“Everyone was asking what can we do, but no one was quite sure what,” Ms Murray said. She said her admiration for her brother’s “strength and courage in a time of adversity” inspired her to take action and gather a few friends to organise an event.
The documentary had also highlighted the research being carried out by a team at Trinity College Dublin, led by Prof Orla Hardiman, Ms Murray said. The professor had said she was confident a cure could be found for motor neurone disease during her lifetime and that progress would ultimately be down to funding.
Ms Murray decided the funds raised from the event would be directed toward the research.
“The necessity for funding is to enable key people, such as biochemists and researchers in Ireland, to remain on the ground within the research laboratory based at Trinity College and continue their fantastic work,” she said.
Tickets for the event can be purchased through the Ticketmaster website or at Ticketmaster outlets.
