Say Yes To My Dress organisers present a whopping €40,395 to Donegal charities

The committee of Say Yes To My Dress would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed and supported them leading up to the big event and on the night itself. 

A spokesperson said: “Your contribution was invaluable to making it such a huge success.

“A big thank you to all who donated dresses, to the businesses who sponsored the spot prizes and who helped out in any way. 

“To all the volunteers who helped out on the night, thank you. 

“Thanks also to our MCs Mandy Maher and Noel Cunningham. To Keith Anderson who made the auction a great success, thank you. 

“And finally thank you to the Abbey Hotel for hosting and supporting the event and to everyone who came along on the night.

“Your support is greatly appreciated.”

A total of €40,395 was raised at the event. Three local charities, Donegal Town Community Hospital Hospice Care Unit, Solace Donegal Cancer Support Centre and St Francis National School’s Sensory Unit each received a cheque for €13,465.

Donegal Town Community Hospital, Hospice Care Unit

Geraldine Caldwell, CNM1 at Donegal Town Community Hospital said: “We the staff of Donegal Town Community Hospital express our heartfelt gratitude for this generous donation. This donation will have a direct impact on the refurbishment of the hospice rooms. 

“This support also enabled us to purchase a massage chair which is an excellent resource for the clients. 

“We truly appreciate all the effort that went into this fundraiser and are very grateful recipients of this donation.

“Thank you again,  staff of Donegal Town Community Hospital.”

Solace Donegal Cancer Support Centre

Tara Faulkner of Solace Cancer Support Service said: “We at Solace would like to express our deep gratitude to all those involved in Say Yes to the Dress, and to all of those people who supported the very successful event.

“We plan to use the donation received to go towards a refresh and renovation of the Centre at St Joseph’s Avenue. 

“We are planning to enhance the services that we provide to those suffering from life-threatening illnesses and plan to strengthen the warm, relaxing and healing environment for all.”

Drop-in mornings at Solace take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 12.30. All those affected by life-threatening illnesses, and those who support them, are all welcome at F94 D992.

St Francis National School’s Sensory Unit

Principal Emer Carr said: “We are incredibly grateful to Jeanette Kelly and the committee for the generous donation and support that has made our new sensory room possible. It is not just a financial gift—it is a gift of inclusion, support, and opportunity.

“For our pupils, especially those with sensory processing needs, this space will be a sanctuary. It will offer them a calming, safe environment where they can self-regulate, reduce anxiety, and better engage with their learning. For many children, this room will make school feel more accessible, more welcoming, and more tailored to their unique needs.

“Thank you for helping us create a more inclusive and nurturing environment for all our pupils. Thank you for believing in our vision and helping us create a space where every child can feel safe, understood, and able to thrive. 

“Your kindness will have a lasting impact on our school community.”