The fundraising dynamo of Killimordaly is at it again – this time with a live recording in Ballinasloe garnering donations worth thousands in a few hours to help sick children at University Hospital Galway.

The last time Saoírse Ruane lent her voice to a track arranged by music director Shane Farrell and his Virtual Voices Choir was two months into lockdown, helping to raise a phenomenal €160,000 to fund her prosthetic limbs.

They picked Sing by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gary Barlow and the YouTube video featuring members of the public singing along bearing placards ‘Sing for Saoírse’ attracted 10,000 views.

Shane had promised Saoírse that, when the time was right, they would record it live. That finally happened last July in Ballinasloe Town Hall when a cast of 600 young and old from Bravo Theatre Group along with choirs from across the country, musicians and technicians all answered the call.

This time they wear t-shirts emblazoned with Sing for Saoírse.

The video of that recording with Saoírse and her mam Roseanna on stage was released on YouTube on Sunday – and already donations have surpassed the €20,000 mark and 14,000 views.

Saoírse and her family had designated the beneficiary of any money raised from the new recording to the charity, Galway Sick Kids, which raises money to improve conditions and secure better equipment at the paediatric unit of UHG.

Caption: Saoírse Ruane and her mum Roseanna in front of the 600-strong choir, recording Sing at Ballinasloe Town Hall.

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