Neighbourhood Rock: Terenure Musician Gigs For CRY

04 June 2020

Musician and Former Leinster Rugby Player, Mikey Smyth has been live streaming gigs to raise funds for various charities during lockdown. This Friday 5th June at 8pm, Mikey will host a gig in aid of CRY Ireland on his Facebook Page - Mikey Smyth Music. 

 

CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) supports those that have lost someone to Sudden Cardiac Death. The CRY Centre in Tallaght offers free cardiac screenings services and emotional support to families affected. Due to Covid-19 a number of national and regional CRY fundraisers have been postponed which has not only affected CRY’s revenue but these events often bring grieving communities together to support one another. 

 

Before Covid-19 hit our shores, Mikey would visit at least 20 nursing homes each week to entertain the elderly. He initially started playing to them at a distance, however as restrictions tightened and he could no longer reach many of the people he visited, the Terenure man made the decision to entertain people by livestreaming his gigs on Facebook instead. Mikey has also been travelling around to local neighbourhoods putting on a show from his trailer. 

 

Mikey Smyth commented “People have missed live music and I was getting loads of requests to call by cocooning neighbours. I thought I’d do something about it, to raise their spirits. I’m overwhelmed with the support I’ve received and the public's effort in helping me raise vital funds for charity while I play.”

 

Each week Mikey chooses a charity to support while gigging and raffles off a prize that was kindly donated. He has raised over €11,000 since he began this initiative. This week Mikey is raffling off a signed top by professional golfer, Graeme McDowell donated by Golf Digest Ireland for CRY Ireland. 

 

Lucia Ebbs, CEO of CRY said “Covid-19 restrictions have left many people at home alone, without the support of their families and friends. This is especially difficult for those that are grieving a loss of a loved one. Mikey’s gigs are a great way to help spread a little joy while people are at home and we are so grateful that he is supporting CRY while doing so.”

 

Mikey will be playing on Friday 5th June at 8pm in aid of CRY Ireland and can be found on Facebook at Mikey Smyth Music. For more information please go to www.CRY.ie