A Santa Sunday is being held in Newtownhamilton this Sunday, December 17, to remember teenager Dylan Vallely who died last month following a car crash.
The 16-year-old passed away on November 14, almost three weeks after the collision in Camlough at the end of October.
This Sunday would have been Dylan’s 17th birthday, and it is also the date of his month’s mind mass.
The fundraising event will take place at the Cosy Bar in Newtownhamilton and proceeds will go to St Michael’s GFC underage teams.
Dylan was named Minor Player of the Year by the club just a week before his death.
In a statement at the time of his death, the club described Dylan as a “great lad, on and off the pitch, hardworking, talented and with great manners”.
Brian Caherty, from the Cosy Bar, said the Santa Sunday had originally been organised as a fundraiser for himself and Dylan’s mum Catherine as they were due to do a Strictly Come Dancing competition together.
He said: “Unfortunately, due to Dylan’s death, it has been postponed until further notice so we thought we could maybe run the day in Dylan’s memory and Dylan’s parents asked that we give all proceeds to St Michael’s GFC Underage as they want to thank them for the support they received during what was an extremely difficult time for them.
“Dylan was only 16 and had a massive future ahead of him so as a community we will just try and offer the family as much support as we possibly can during the Christmas period and beyond.”
Mr Caherty said more than 200 children have already been booked in to see Santa on the day “and we plan to try and make it as amazing as possible whilst also remembering Dylan”.
The day will run from 2pm-7pm and will also include arts and crafts, hot chocolate, mulled wine, magic reindeer food making and Christmas stalls in the beer garden.
