Retailers in Dublin Street in Monaghan town in association with Monaghan Phoenix Athletics Club are gearing up to host an ‘Avonmore Big Picnic’ on Saturday, 19 June.

The event has been organised to raise much needed funds for Barretstown and help families with children recovering from serious illness. Running from 3pm until 5pm on Dublin Street the day will include face painters, a bouncy castle, a giant zorb and lots of fun for all the family.

Organiser and owner of Monaghan Boot Company Macartan Kierans told how the idea for the day came about. “The original idea was to hold a family day to encourage people to come down to Dublin Street but then we heard about the Avonmore Big Picnic for Barretstown and all of the retailers agreed that it would be a great way to promote the street and raise money for a really worthy cause.” Mr Kierans is encouraging everybody to bring a picnic along on the day and join in on the fun as  there will be live music and plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained with all money going to directly to Barretstown.

The ‘Avonmore Big Picnic for Barretstown’ campaign aims to encourage everyone, whether it is individuals, families, schools or companies across the country to have a picnic this summer and raise much needed funds for Barretstown. In addition, Avonmore will match every €1 raised by consumers’ picnics in 2010. Last year there were picnics held all over Ireland raising anything from €50 to €5,000. The money raised will help send more families to Barretstown and also provide much needed equipment and resources to help run their family camps, which take place every year.

Loran Sullivan (17) actress Amy Huberman and Leonie Hackett (7) roll out their picnic blanket for the launch of the second annual ‘Avonmore Big Picnic for Barretstown’.  For more details pick up an Avonmore milk carton in any local shop or visit www.sendmorefamilies.com