A CHARITY dance held in memory of a Lisnaskea woman who died from cancer 20 years ago has raised around £4,000 for two very deserving causes.

The Donn Carragh Hotel was the venue on Saturday for the special concert, held two weeks before the 20th anniversary of the death of Colette McGovern, who was from Drumbroughas North, just outside Lisnaskea.

Mrs. McGovern, who worked in St. Ronan’s Primary School in Lisnaskea, passed away on February 18, 1998, six months after being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

The charity dance was organised by her youngest daughter Aoife McAloon, who said she was inspired by her mother’s love of music.

Aoife was helped by her dad Albert and older sisters, Ashlin Lowry and Clodagh Swift.

All the money raised by the dance is being donated to the Patient Comfort Fund of the Haematology Unit at Belfast City Hospital and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter this week, Aoife said they had a fantastic night with a great dancing crowd of around 300 people there.

She said: “All in all, we have currently raised almost £4,000, and there’s still some money coming in!

“It’s absolutely unbelievable as when I started out I was thinking I’d just love to be able to give each charity £1,000, never mind £2,000 each.”

Fermanagh-based wedding band, Addiction, featuring Maria Cameron Music, provided the music on the night.

Other activities at the event included a beard shave and a raffle with dozens of prizes.

Aoife thanked everyone who helped to make the event such a success.

She added: “I worked in the hotel myself for 11 years and it was great to see life back in the function room!”