Irish dancing flash mob for MRI scanner

The appeal aims to raise £2million for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of sick and injured children in Northern Ireland. This will be located at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, which is currently the only children’s hospital in the UK and Ireland that does not have its own MRI Scanner.

The Irish dancers from counties Antrim, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone were also highlighting the £4,200 which has been raised for the MRI appeal by An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha (Irish Dancing Commission of Ireland). They did this by auctioning off a unique Irish dancing dress made by Eire Designs, Belfast and generously sponsored by Mr Gavin Doherty, ADCRG. The cheque was presented by Mona Roddy-Lennon member of the Oireachtas Committee within the Irish Dancing Commission on the day to Dr Deirdre Peake, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist.

Irish dancing teachers Roisin Keenan from Enniskillen and Denise Catney from Belfast coordinated the routine and spoke of their delight to be supporting this worthwhile cause, “We are delighted to be involved in raising awareness and money for the Children’s MRI Scanner Appeal. As a children’s physiotherapist I see children from other regional centres being transferred to the Royal for specialist investigations, so having an MRI Scanner at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children will be something that will help many children across Northern Ireland,” said Roisin.

“Our flash mob dance brings together children from both sides of the community and from all factions (Coimisiún, an Comdhdail and Festival) of the Irish Dance Community. These children were united in their love of Irish dance and in their desire to raise awareness of this great cause,” adds Denise.

The ballroom dancers from Ballroom Blitz in Belfast were helping to raise awareness of a key corporate event being ran in aid of the appeal this year called ‘The Royal Does Strictly’ which is being held in Titanic Belfast on November 10.

Six local personalities including Marc Mallet (UTV), Stephen Clements (Citybeat), Kirstie McMurray (Cool FM), Martina Purdy (BBC), Alison Fleming (UTV) and Marie-Louise Connolly (BBC) are taking to the dance floor with key staff of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust for what promises to be a superb evening with a-list entertainment.

For further information on the MRI Scanner Appeal visit www.mriscannerappeal.org and to book a table at ‘The Royal Does Strictly’ event contact Leo Callow (07775 842488) or John Mulgrew on 07803 338649.