‘Ray of Hope’ (Mickey Mac’s Memorial Weekend) – a now annual community event hosted in memory of the late Mickey McPhillips – starts this Friday night, August 12, in Newtownbutler.

Remembering Mickey as a keen photographer, the weekend officially opens with a photographic exhibition entitled ‘Faces and Places’ in Newtownbutler Community Centre at 7.30pm on Friday.

The exhibition, which will feature a brand-new collection of photographs taken by Mickey over the course of his career, will be launched by renowned photographer and broadcaster, Bobby Hanvey.

A fantastic line-up

Saturday, August 13 will see the weekend continue with a series of ‘Reflections of Hope’ in The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newtownbutler, starting at 11am, with a fantastic line-up of guest speakers sharing some poignant and important life stories and reflections along with important messages with regard to mental health.

Speakers on the day include Rodney Edwards, Denzil McDaniel, Martina Crudden, Chloe Heaslip and Niall Sludden.

Saturday concludes with a street concert with some very talented members of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann, which will take place outside the Newtownbutler Community Centre at 7.30pm

Traditional Irish music was a real passion of Mickey’s; he loved to hear music being played and songs being sung.

All are welcome to come along and enjoy a night of music, song and dance.

Then on Sunday, August 14, the keenly-awaited annual walk begins at the bridge at Galloon Island at 1pm.

This will be immediately followed by the Newtownbutler Annual Tractor Run, starting at the football pitch at 3pm, with all proceeds going to Ray of Hope.

There will be entertainment on the day, including face-painting fun, music, animals and lots more to make a fantastic family day out.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter about the upcoming weekend in memory of his late brother Mickey, Fr. Jimmy McPhillips outlined the aim of ‘Ray of Hope’.

He said: “Based on Mickey’s own tragic death, we’d be hoping that people get a bit of hope out of the whole weekend and positivity; encouragement that if they have issues, that they’d be able to reach out and speak to somebody.”

A charitable element

He went on to explain that the event also has a charitable element: “Last year, we raised £10,000 which was donated towards the Aisling Centre in Enniskillen, Oak Healthy Living in Lisnaskea, and the RNLI. There will be other beneficiaries too.”

Last year, the first ‘Ray of Hope’ event was organised by the McPhillips family.

Noting that this year the weekend has become more of a community effort, Fr. Jimmy added: “Mickey was a great community man; he was loved by all within the community, and that will be seen over the weekend, just as it was last year.”

“[Ray of Hope] is a positive out of the sadness and tragedy of his death. It’s definitely given people a bit of hope that good things can come out of bad things,” he told this newspaper.