After surviving breast cancer Mary felt she wanted to give something back to the people who helped her, in her fight against the deadly disease.
Mary's diagnoses in 2005 came as shock to herself and her family, "You never think it's going to be you. Of course it's a shock and you are scared but I knew I had to fight it."
Mary attended the Bridgewater suite - Belfast city hospital for her treatment of the disease.

Care

Bridgewater is a purpose built Cancer centre that provides the highest cancer care services to the 8,700 newly diagnosed patients each year in Northern Ireland.
"The care I received in the unit was second to none, not only for me the patient, but the support they offered to the family meant a lot."
Marys will and determination paid off when she was given the all clear soon after successfully finishing treatment in September 2006.
Speaking to the TIMES Mary said: "After surviving the disease I felt stronger and I knew I was one of the few lucky ones.
"I wanted to return the favour and give something back to the unit who had been so good to me and my family.
"It was then we decided as a family to organise the ball."
Aided by her husband Peter, children Patrick, Gary, Linda and Peter junior they all played a part in organising the event.
"It was hard work and took months of planning, but on the night it was all worth it."
The success of the night was reflected by the amount of money raised. Totalling £28,000 however more is still coming in.

Support

Mary indicated that £20,000 was being donated to the Bridgewater suite with the remaining been divided among local cancer charities LILAC and Cancer Choices who both supported her throughout her illness.
Mary would like to thank everyone involved in the planning and organising of the event she said: "There are just too many to mention individually but my family and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone from the sponsors to the many people who attended the night itself.
"It was a very special night as I knew most of the people there, and a great night's craic was enjoyed by all.
"I would like to give a special mention to Jim McKeown who provided the beautiful music throughout the meal."
Mary's only daughter Linda who made an emotional presentation to her mummy on the night added: "It is a credit to mummy that she has raised this amount of money for the charities who mean so much to us.
"We gave a helping hand along the way, but it was mum who did most of the planning and organising, we are all so proud of her."




Leave your congratulations to Mary here on the TYRONE TIMES online and if you to would like to give help to the charity please contact the paper on 028 8775 2801