PHOTOS: Heartlands Pride raise €600 with success of Only After Dark' fundraiser
Heartlands Pride Athlone teamed up with Only After Dark to host a Pride fundraising Party on Saturday, July 19, with The Wild Geeze and (DJ) Deanface in the Mardyke Bar.
The night raised over €600, which will go towards the Heartlands Pride Winter Festival taking place from November 7 to 9.
Many businesses in Athlone and surrounding areas generously donated towards the raffle, including Athlone Pole Dance, Fabian Ragnar Craft, Festival Mná, Fiona Moran Art, Hen in a Hat (Linda Butler), Lens on Naz (Nazli Yildrum), Love My Hair, Mardyke Bar, Memphis Shell, Only After Dark, Spice India Athlone and Viking Tours Ireland.
“We would like to thank everyone who attended our fundraiser and to the businesses who donated towards our raffle," said Christine O’Mahony, Chair of Heartlands Pride Athlone.
“We had a range of people, some from the LGBT+ community and some allies. It was a brilliant night full of laughter, music and love.”
Image 1 of 5
The Wild Geeze Performing at the Mardyke Bar with Miss Memphis Shell. Photo: Marina NazinaImage 2 of 5
Tina Kiernan from Love My Hair & Miss Neon Love (Only After Dark).Image 3 of 5
Bróna McCormack, Christine O’Mahony, Tom Hanevy Heartlands Pride Athlone CommitteeImage 4 of 5
Lisa Hogan, Marie from the Mardyke Bar & (DJ) Deanface.Image 5 of 5
Athlone Community Radio’s Philomena Murphy & Erica Follows-Smith attended the Heartlands Pride Athlone Fundraiser."We would also like to thank the Mardyke Bar in particular for their solidarity and allyship, we have found it difficult to find venues to host our events, but the Mardyke was very supportive.
"Lastly we would like to thank the performers, The Wild Geeze and (DJ) Deanface for providing a night of entertainment like no other and we would love to have them at any future Heartlands Pride events.”
Heartlands Pride Athlone is planning some more fundraisers and is inviting people to attend the Luan Gallery on August 9, from 12pm - 4pm, for a talk on LGBT+ history by artist and researcher Han Tiernan , along with a banner-making workshop.
The Luan Gallery is generously donating all proceeds for the Banner Making Workshop to Heartlands Pride Athlone.