Childrens Ward To Benefit From Donated Designer Watches

PORTADOWN, Northern Ireland, October 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

A charity dinner and raffle night in Portadown, County Armagh, has raised thousands of pounds for the Children's Ward at Craigavon Area Hospital. The money raised from the event, which took place on 7 September at Zio's Mediterranean restaurant, Portadown, will now enable the ward to purchase vital equipment.  

Zio's Mediterranean restaurant which is one of Northern Irelands most prestigious and popular restaurants is owned by Gjibo and Sharon Mula, who organised the event.

Gjibo said: "The hospital's Children's Ward carries out fantastic work and is something which my wife and I wanted to support.

"We wanted to give money but realised we could raise so much more if we made a night of it and invited others to donate.

"We raised more than I could have imagined. I can't thank people enough for their generosity," he added.

Those attending were treated to delicious food, entertainment and great prizes. Most of the money raised was through the raffle which had prizes donated from a number of Portadown establishments.

The restaurant's William Street neighbour, Nigel O'Hara Diamond Jewellers, donated several designer watches from brands such as the fashionable D&G and the prestigious Versace.

The company's director Richard O'Hara said: "We are pleased to have supported such a great cause in order to raise much-needed funds for the Children's Ward at Craigavon Area Hospital.

"We donated watches from some of our top brands such as D&G and Versace so we knew that they would prove popular with bidders. It was great that people were willing to give so much."

Donations from Nigel O'Hara Diamond Jewellers raised several thousand pounds alone. A selection of jewellery from D&G Jewels and Unique Jewelry also attracted attention and received well above their recommended retail price.  

One particular Guess watch won in the raffle was put up for re-auction. It managed to raise an impressive £1500.

Mr O'Hara added: "We knew people would bid on the watches we had given and we knew Dolce and Gabbana watches were popular, but even we could not have predicted that one would be snapped up for £1,100.

"We are so glad to have been part of it and it was really fantastic that the money raised amounted to thousands of pounds."