Abseiling in her 60s, dancing into her 70s, Nenagh woman's MND fundraisers in memory of mum

A Nenagh woman is about to hold a milestone birthday celebration with a difference. 
Mary Lynch is turning 70. But, rather than receiving presents, she would prefer to have people's presence at the social dance she is holding in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association at Nenagh's Scouts Hall this Sunday. 
It will be the latest in a series of fundraisers held by Mary in support of the IMNDA. She has already taken part in two charity abseils from the top of Croke Park, overcoming her fear of heights to take the 100-foot plunge in 2016 and again last month, when she took on the challenge with her niece, Julie. 
“I dived out of my 60s and danced into my 70s,” Mary quips in citing the recent abseil and this weekend's dance. 
The dance will be one of several that Mary and her family in Cork have organised in support of their chosen cause, chosen because her mother died from the disease. Since then, Mary, a childminder living in Millersbrook, has become somewhat synonymous with raising awareness about MND in this part of the country.
There are upwards of 20 families living with motor neurone disease in north Tipperary, including families with loved ones that have died from the disease. Often referred to as the 'thousand-day disease' because most people die within a thousand days of being diagnosed, MND is an incurable condition that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. It currently affects over 350 people in Ireland.
Among the local people living with the disease are a number who have taken part in pilot research programmes so as to help their peers, and indeed those who will contract the dreaded disease in future. Mary has experienced what people go through after a MND diagnosis and the help that is available. She would like to do more to help those she is in contact with and has aspirations to set up a local support group.
The IMNDA provides specialised services for people affected by the disease, free of charge. These include equipment on loan, financial assistance towards home help, advice and home visits from MND nurses.
But Mary points out that the association relies on charity events such as the ones she organises for some 80% of its funding. 
With this in mind, she is hoping that people will support the upcoming social dance at the Scouts Hall, which she has been working on for the last 12 weeks.
And a truly great night awaits, with music from the well-known 'Footloose' duo of John O'Brien from Ardcroney and Joe Cleary (Ballingarry). There will also be a raffle on the night, and Mary would like to thank everyone who has contributed prizes with some very generous offerings up for grabs.
Admission to the dance is €10 and people are free to give whatever else they want as a donation to the IMNDA. Mary would also like people to note that all money raised locally stays locally.
As well as raising funds, she hopes that Sunday's event will also raise awareness around this debilitating and often largely misunderstood condition. 
Anyone who can't attend the dance is invited to contact Mary directly at 086-3435371; contributions are also still being accepted on iDonate (look for 'Julie and Mary's page' under fundraising pages for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association). 
Thanking everyone that has helped out with the staging of the event, Mary added that she would love to hear from anyone with ideas for a future fundraiser for the IMNDA.
Dancing at the Scouts Hall this Sunday, November 24th, from 9pm.