Theme night helps raise vital funds for Killie tot diagnosed with rare condition

Sharon with her colleague David
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A Kilmarnock woman raised hundreds of pounds for a tot diagnosed with a rare condition after hosting an 80s-themed night.

Sharon Brogan raised £1,450 for 22-month-old Phoebe Stuart McLean, who was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Angelman Syndrome.

Phoebe's mum Emily Stuart, 34, has launched a fundraising campaign to help her daughter have intensive therapy sessions and to purchase specialist equipment.

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The 34-year-old knew Emily through mutual friends and growing up in Kilmarnock, they often went to the same places to socialise when they were younger.

Sharon managed to fundraise £1,450 on the night, with a help from her friends, colleagues and customers
Sharon managed to fundraise £1,450 on the night, with a help from her friends, colleagues and customers

Sharon followed Phoebe's story on social media and decided that she wanted to help with fundraising.

Sharon said: "Although me and Emily were never close we always had each other on social media and that’s where I followed her story on Phoebe.

"Her story hit close to home as my best friend Linzi lost her son Joey to a rare genetic disorder called Krabbe disease in 2015. He was just 18-months-old.

"Knowing Emily was trying to raise money I just wanted to help."

While reaching out to Emily, Sharon had already planned 80s night as she works at Kings Arms in Fenwick and had been given a night to organise by her bosses.

She decided to do 80s-themed night, where everyone can wear something iconic from the time and enjoy the hits.

An 80s night took place on November 9 at Kings Arms in Fenwick
An 80s night took place on November 9 at Kings Arms in Fenwick

Sharon said: "I soon realised it was going to be a busy one, so I decided to fundraise at it and would donate anything we made to Phoebe hoping to raise a few hundred pounds for them.

"I got in touch with Emily and asked her if it would be okay and she was over the moon that someone else had thought about fundraising for Phoebe.

"I had never organised a fundraiser before but had attended lots in the past so I had a fair idea of how it would go and what I was going to do to raise the money."

The event took place in the Kings Arms in Fenwick with more than 60 people attending.

On the night, Sharon sold raffle tickets, bonus ball numbers and had a charity bucket placed beside the till to raise as much as she possibly could.

An 80s themed night was a success, with everyone dressing up and enjoying the hits from the past
An 80s themed night was a success, with everyone dressing up and enjoying the hits from the past

She said: "The event went amazing and everyone had such a fab night and everyone made such an effort in all their 80s gear.

"We ended up with a total of £1,450! This is an incredible amount, everyone was so generous.

"I’m just totally overwhelmed at how much I raised on the night and how generous everyone has been. I’m so happy that I could help Phoebe get closer to her target."

Emily said: "I was so grateful when Sharon got in touch to say she wanted to help with fundraising for Phoebe.

"It was so kind of her to pick Phoebe's charity to donate the funds raised from her 80s-themed night. It made my day!

"Sharon has done amazing organising such a successful night in just the space of a few short weeks and we as a family will be forever thankful for thinking of Phoebe.

All guests wore something iconic from the 80s
All guests wore something iconic from the 80s

"I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped and donated on the night. I was blown away by how much was raised everyone was so generous.

"I would also like to thank the local business that donated prizes on short notice to the raffle. Without all your support we could not have done this."

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