Aug 11
5
Benhaffaf Twins for TwinFest Ireland in Sligo
The former cojoined Benhaffaf twins, Hassan and Hussain, from Cork, who last year underwent a perilous 14-hour operation at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital to successfully separate them will, along with their family, be the guests of honour at this year’s TwinFest Ireland which will take place in Keash, Ballymote, County Sligo on Saturday 20th August 2011.
The brave little twins will be accompanied by their parents Angie, Azzedine and sisters Malika & Iman.
Following the success of the inaugural festival in 2010 when 55 sets of twins plus some assorted triplets and their families enjoyed a great family day out with fantastic entertainment for all age groups, the organisers are this year expecting in excess of 100 pairs of twins plus triplets with at least one set of quads scheduled to attend on the day.
Last year the youngest twins attending were the Daly twins, Jess and Belle, at 7 months and the oldest were Gerard and Alfie Mulligan, brothers from Leitrim, who are now in their 90th year.
Again an open invitation is extended to all this year.
TwinFest Ireland founder, and twin, Patrick Ward was inspired to promote awareness and raise funds for The Menigitis Trust thereby commemorating the memory of his 5-month old niece, Katie Garvey who succumbed to the devastating illness on Valentine’s Day, 2007.
The 2010 one-day festival raised a whopping €7,000 for the charity.
Meningitis Trust General Manager Carole Nealon said, “Following on from last year we know the festival will again be a huge success and are very grateful to the Ward family and their marvellous team of dedicated volunteers, friends and supporters who have made this possible.”
This year a donation will also be made to the Benhaffaf ‘s Little Fighters Fund.
The people of Keash and Sligo are delighted and proud to host the Benhaffaf family on their first trip to the Yeats County and the Mayor of Sligo, Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady will host a Civic Reception in honour of Hassan, Hussain and their family at Sligo City Hall on Friday 19th following a book signing of the family’s book, ‘Little Fighters’ in Johnsons Court Shopping Centre.
Mayor O’Grady commented, “I am truly delighted to honour these little brave twins, it will be an absolute pleasure to have them here in Sligo as our guests.” The mayor, a nurse by profession, added, “I totally understand the trauma Hassan and Hussain went through and they are an inspiration to all, as are their family.”
Angie Benhaffaf said, “We are really looking forward to our trip to TwinFest Ireland in Sligo and meeting with other twins from all over Ireland. We were unable to make it last year due to a family bereavement but promised Patrick that we would not miss it this year. Hassan and Hussain will no doubt have a great time and their sisters, Milaka and Iman are all excited and asking every day ‘when are we going to Sligo’. It will be great to meet everyone.”
i102-104fm will be broadcasting live from TwinFest on the day and with the already secured increased business and local community support, organiser Patrick is positive of a tremendous turnout on the day.
Further information and the programme of events are available on the website www.twinfest.ie
