The beneficiaries for the 2024 Mayor's Ball have officially been announced. Four organisations were chosen to benefit from next years event that is held annually in Waterford.
The Arch Club Tramore, Aiséirí Waterford, Cystic Fibrosis Waterford, and the Order of Malta Waterford and Tramore Unit have been chosen to receive monies from next years event.
Speaking to WLR News at the launch yesterday in City Hall, Cha O'Neill who organised the first charitable Mayor's Ball event, spoke of its humble beginnings.
Rina Piercy and Carol-Anne Fox - Tramore & Waterford Arch Club
"How it started was years ago the Mayor's Ball cancelled itself in the late 80's, and when I was elected in 1999, and councillor Hillary Quinlan and myself decided to revive the event.
"I am into entertainment and I love organising things. I just put it to Hillary, is there any chance we will resserect the Mayors Ball."
The Arch Club in Tramore provides a safe space for people with additional needs, as well as teaching essential life skills. Rina Piercy from The Arch Club, explains some of the activities their service provides.
"We meet every Thursday night and play games and go bowling, to the cinema. Other than that we sit and chat which is very important. Apart from that, all of us benefit so mcuh by going out and meeting with our peers and chatting."
The Order of Malta Waterford branch are also nominated to benefit from next years Mayor's Bll. Clive from the Waterford branch of The Order of Malta says they work off a small budget.
"At local level we get no government funding. We get a small amount at national level. We are in the 32 counries and have under 5,000 members.
"All the money we get locally is from donations for covering events, and providing first aid or cardiac first responder courses and out there just doing general fundariasing as it is hard to bring the money in.
"It costs us about 40 to 50,000 a year to run the organisation at a local level."
The Mayor's Ball will take place at the Tower Hotel next April.
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