Lurgan piping enthusiasts support major fundraiser for sick

A charity event '˜Kids with Cancer' held at the Royal Hotel Cookstown recently raised about £4,500 for the Children's Cancer Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast - and there was a strong Lurgan contingent supporting the event.
Mark Wilson (left) from Waringstown and Bearnagh pictured prior to performing at the Kids with Cancer charity event at the Royal Hotel Cookstown.Mark Wilson (left) from Waringstown and Bearnagh pictured prior to performing at the Kids with Cancer charity event at the Royal Hotel Cookstown.
Mark Wilson (left) from Waringstown and Bearnagh pictured prior to performing at the Kids with Cancer charity event at the Royal Hotel Cookstown.

Organised by Upperlands man Gary Smyth (Leading Drummer of Quinn Memorial Pipe Band), the fundraising event was attended by over 250 pipe band enthusiast and friends.

An impressive line up of pipe bands, pipers and drummers took part including former Ahoghill man Steven McWhirter, who recently won his eighth World Solo drumming title.

Steven, a former member of Cullybackey Pipe Band, is now Lead Drummer of current world champion pipe band, Inveraray and District (Scotland).

Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE (left) and a mini band of fourteen members of eleven times world champion pipe band Field Marshal Montgomery pictured performing at the Kids with Cancer charity event at the Royal Hotel Cookstown on Saturday 17th February.  Included is Lead Drummer Keith Orr (second from right) and Robert Smyth, the bands new Bass Drummer.Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE (left) and a mini band of fourteen members of eleven times world champion pipe band Field Marshal Montgomery pictured performing at the Kids with Cancer charity event at the Royal Hotel Cookstown on Saturday 17th February.  Included is Lead Drummer Keith Orr (second from right) and Robert Smyth, the bands new Bass Drummer.
Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE (left) and a mini band of fourteen members of eleven times world champion pipe band Field Marshal Montgomery pictured performing at the Kids with Cancer charity event at the Royal Hotel Cookstown on Saturday 17th February. Included is Lead Drummer Keith Orr (second from right) and Robert Smyth, the bands new Bass Drummer.

Also taking part were Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE and a mini band of fourteen members of eleven times world champions Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band Drum Corps, Tullylagan Pipe Band Drum Corps and Bernagh Folk Group.

Pipers included Senior Ulster Solo Piping Champion (2017) Ashley McMichael, Glenn Ross and Ryan Cupples-Menendez (Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band) and Ian Burrows (Drumlough Pipe Band).

Snare drummers included Steven McWhirter and Chris McNicholl (Inveraray & District Pipe Band), Stephen Creighton and Michael McKenna (St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band), Gareth McLees (Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band), William Glenholmes (Vale of Atholl Pipe Band), Daniel Lynn (Cullybackey Pipe Band), John Scullion and John Lappin.

Tenor drummers included Jordan Bailie (Inveraray & District Pipe Band) and event organiser Gary Smyth’s son Calum (Quinn Memorial Pipe Band) from Magherafelt.

Lead Drummer Stephen Creighton (4th from left) and St Laurence OToole Pipe Band Drum Corps pictured performing at the Kids with Cancer charity event at the Royal Hotel Cookstown.Lead Drummer Stephen Creighton (4th from left) and St Laurence OToole Pipe Band Drum Corps pictured performing at the Kids with Cancer charity event at the Royal Hotel Cookstown.
Lead Drummer Stephen Creighton (4th from left) and St Laurence OToole Pipe Band Drum Corps pictured performing at the Kids with Cancer charity event at the Royal Hotel Cookstown.

Thanks to John Kelly for photographs.

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