Quiz night in memory of Roscommon woman raises thousands
The cheque was presented to Martina Jennings CEO Mayo Roscommon Hospice (centre left) by Michelle’s Mum, Mary Craven and her sisters, Siobhan Kilroe (far left) and Caroline Dervan (far right). Mayo Roscommon Hospice are very grateful to receive this incredible amount and thank everyone involved in making it all possible.
A quiz held in memory of a much loved Roscommon woman has raised thousands of euro for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice. Taking place in January of this year, the event raised the remarkable sum of €17,000.
Knockcroghery woman, Michelle Craven had lived in New York for almost 20 years and was very involved with the Roscommon GAA club there, serving as secretary for several years and helping to co-ordinate one of Roscommon’s Championship visits to the Big Apple.
She was also very supportive of many young Roscommon people who went over there, helping them get settled with jobs and somewhere to live. She was an avid darts player, and a member of different darts teams in New York, meeting many people socially – something she really loved.
“A large part of her working life was in the hospitality sector, working in different bars, many with Roscommon connections,” the hospice said. “Her social, outgoing, easy-going outlook on life made her ideal for this career, earning her great popularity and many good friends. She was well known both in New York, and at home in Roscommon, where she had returned about ten years ago.
“When Michelle passed away following her battle with cancer, the family were extremely grateful to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation for the help and support they had received. They wanted to support the Hospice, and in memory of Michelle, they came up with the idea of a Monster Fun Quiz at the Abbey Hotel, to raise much needed funds for this highly regarded organisation.”
The quiz took place on Saturday, January 31st at the Abbey Hotel, and was hugely supported by many volunteers and sponsors. The idonate online fundraising page was set up and publicised, and very generously supported.
“The Abbey Hotel was decked out in balloons in the Roscommon colours. Answer booklets were printed off and stapled together, sponsors for the cash prizes were found, and tables borrowed from Roscommon CBS across the road,” the hospice said. “56 teams sat down for the quiz, a crowd not seen in many a long year. Family, friends, fellow parishioners, quiz buffs, people who just supported because of the amazing cause in question, all hoping for a fun quiz and an enjoyable night, which they got. There was a relaxed atmosphere, much sharing of answers, and a certain amount of Googling- allegedly! By the end of the tie break round, there was white smoke, with First, Second, and Third places all determined. Add to this, a raffle which had in excess of 20 prizes, meaning nearly everyone went home happy.”
Members of the Craven family spoke before and after the quiz, thanking everyone for their kindness and generosity, and commenting on how proud Michelle would have been to see such a crowd having such a great night.
Sponsors and those who donated raffle prizes were all mentioned and thanked, while the Abbey Hotel got a special mention for generously donating the use of the function room.
