‘The Wedding of The Year’ to commemorate 30 years since the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl is being hosted this weekend by Chernobyl Children’s Appeal (Tyrone and Fermanagh) NI. 

To help raise much needed funds for the 16 children coming across in July, the Tyrone and Fermanagh group has decided to mark the 30th anniversary by presenting a ‘Sham Wedding’ - set to be a memorable event in Mahon’s Hotel, Irvinestown, tonight, Saturday, April 23. 

“It’s been 30 years since the worst nuclear accident in the history of mankind took place in Chernobyl and its effects still dominate over 600,000 Belarussian children, who live in the most contaminated areas, everyday,” explained a spokeswoman for the special fundraising evening, when ‘guests’ are being invited to attend “the celebration of Siobhan McBotty and William Orangina’s mixed marriage in style!”  

“A beautiful two course meal shall be served on the night (main course and dessert) with tea/coffee and not forgetting the wonderful wedding cake, followed by the ‘wedding speeches’ with lots of banter and antics where someone is destined to end up with cake on their face,” says the spokeswoman for the production, which will be performed by members of the Dromore and Irvinestown drama groups.

A great night’s crack is being promised as part of the programme of entertainment, which will include “a raffle so ‘guests’ can win the wedding presents (kindly donated by various local businesses) and then DJ Mo (Maureen Colton) will take to the decks to ensure the dancing continues into the wee small hours – it’s a night not to be missed!”

The spokeswoman explains that “Chernobyl Children Appeal NI is a registered charity made up of people from many backgrounds and religions who volunteer to help raise funds, that each year since 1994, bring children from Belarus and Ukraine over to Northern Ireland for a respite break from radiation as well as send much needed funds to help aid orphanages, hospitals, schools and villages.”

She continued: “These three week respite breaks help to give the children a much needed boost to their immune system as they get to breathe clean air, eat uncontaminated foods and sleep soundly away from radioactive waste. They also provide the children an insight into what opportunities lie outside their barren lands and help them experience things like seeing the sea for the first time, what a mountain looks like, travelling in a car and getting to play on green grass… things that we all take for granted living here.”

The invitations have been printed and the scene has been set for the fundraiser, which rolls into action at 8pm in Mahon’s Hotel, tonight, Saturday, April 23. 

Tickets are available from Mahon’s hotel, Physique Face and Body Studio, Irvinestown or any branch member. 

Seating is unreserved unless requested (advisable for large parties) which can be done by contacting the branch’s assistant secretary, Esther, on 07793048779.

The dress code is ‘Wedding Guest’ so people are advised to dig out their hat and high heels and iron their best shirt and tie because ‘it’s going to be a night they will never forget!’