Mayo man's fundraiser for children's charity features Marcus Rashford portrait

FORMER Mayo Person of the Year, Kevin Bourke, is organising a unique fundraiser to help the great work of the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation in Vietnam.

Since 1989 the foundation has been dedicated to serving the health, education and emotional needs of vulnerable children who are at risk of exploitation, trafficking and violence. Since its inception, it has established over 169 projects and impacted on the lives of over one million children and adults.

Just two years ago, Kevin organised a sell-out concert in Westport Town Hall along with Oliver Rouse and Nora Shally for Christina’s foundation with pianist Michael Quinn, tenor Alan McGinty, soprano Emma Brown, vocalist Sophia Shally, and Eriko Hopkinson and the Westport Children’s Choir as well as MC, Midwest Radio broadcaster Tommy Marren. The concert was hosted by John Kennedy, CBE, Manchester.

Kevin has now joined forces with Castlebar-based artist Attracta Burke for this fundraiser.

Attracta, who is originally from Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon, enjoys painting and craft work as a hobby. She exhibited some of her art at her place of work where Kevin noticed and admired them and asked if she would be interested in painting a portrait of Marcus Rashford, MBE, the Manchester United player, who has done a lot for children's charities. Then they would auction the painting with all proceeds going to the Christina Noble Children's Foundation.

Said Attracta: “I was delighted with the opportunity to paint and donate my art to this worthy cause.”

The auction is live now online at http://app.galabid.com/kevinbourke and you can pop over there and place your bid or, if you prefer, you can make a donation there.

This is an ideal opportunity to acquire a fantastic painting of Marcus Rashford and help the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation.

The painting measures (frame) 51 cm by 40cm.

For more information, contact Kevin on (087) 2439748.