Almost £2,000 raised for Gateway Club in memory of Damien

ALMOST £2,000 has been raised for Ballymena Gateway Club following the passing of one of its longstanding members, Damien Carey.

Damien was a familiar face in town and his passing was met with hundreds of messages of condolences across social media.

Damien was 61 years old and for his 59th birthday, he was surprised with video messages from the cast of one his favourite television programmes - Mrs Brown’s Boys.

He also loved attending dances run by the Gateway Club and his sister Roisin wishes to raise money for the club to continue these vital social events.

Writing on Just Giving, Roisin said: “Damien was a member the Ballymena gateway club.

“He loved this club so much because he was able to go have fun, go to dances and meet other people with learning disabilities.

“The gateway club supports many young people and is self funded through donations, car boot sales and quizzes et cetera.

“If you would like to make a donation in Damien’s memory to the club we would very much appreciate this so that they can continue with the wonderful work and have an extra dance night in Damien’s memory.

“The club is trying to raise funds to support these young people throughout the next year.

“One day they hope to be able to raise enough money to buy a small mini van to take these young people all around a beautiful Northern Ireland countryside.”

A target of £500 was soon surpassed with the total, at the time of going to print, sitting at £1,838.

Damien passed away peacefully at his home on December 17, 2022, in the loving care of his sister Roisin and sister-in-law Coombsie.

Damien was the dearly beloved son of Mary and the late Seamus R.I.P.

He was the devoted brother to Sean, Marie, Michael, Bridget, the late James R.I.P. Teri and Roisin. brother-in-law to Dermot, Caroline, Michael, Naomi and Davy.

Damien’s Requiem Mass was held in All Saints’ Church last week on Tuesday December 20, followed by interment in St.Patrick’s Cemetery Crebilly.

Tributes to the popular Ballymena man pured in across social media.

Local SDLP Cllr Eugene Reid said: “ So sad to hear of the passing of a true Ballymena gentleman….indeed legend…this morning!

Another poster said: RIP Damien. I don’t think there is one person from our community who does not know Damien.

“True Ballymena legend.”