A Night to Remember: EOPD Ireland’s Gala Ball at Faithlegg
EOPD Ireland’s Gala Ball at Faithlegg House Hotel was nothing short of extraordinary — a night defined by community, generosity and an overwhelming sense of togetherness. The event was made all the more special by its driving force, Sally Stumpf, an EOPD Board member who, following her diagnosis, channelled her energy into creating an unforgettable evening in support of the Early Onset Parkinson’s community.
Together, our incredible supporters raised an outstanding €44,665 for EOPD Ireland. We were blown away by the generosity shown on the night, not only through financial contributions, but through the warmth, encouragement, volunteerism, and unwavering belief in our mission.
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was electric. EOPD Ireland’s signature blue filled the venue, while thoughtful touches — including beautiful bluebells sourced by Sally’s friends for every table — reflected the care, commitment and generosity behind the event.
Alongside Sally, Brona Pearson played a pivotal role in bringing the evening together, supported by Vickie Rees-Davies, a dear friend of Sally’s who is also living with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease.
The evening took an unexpected turn when our planned moderator for the panel event was unable to attend due to personal circumstances. In an extraordinary act of courage, Sally’s 15-year-old daughter, Anya Stumpf, stepped in to host the panel discussion. She did so with remarkable composure, empathy and confidence, delivering a heartfelt contribution that moved everyone in the room.
The panel featured Sally Stumpf, Vickie Rees-Davies — a physical therapist and certified Parkinson’s advocate — and EOPD Ireland board member Lynn McDonald. Together, they shared honest and powerful reflections on life with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease, bringing a deeply human perspective to the evening.The generosity shown throughout the night was truly inspiring. Guests supported both live and silent auctions featuring an incredible range of donated items, from original artwork and photography to sought-after sports memorabilia.
One item stood above all others. We were deeply honoured to receive a jersey belonging to the late Irish rugby legend Anthony “Axel” Foley, generously donated by his wife, Olive Foley. As the jersey entered the room, a hush fell across the audience. It was a powerful and emotional moment, and the jersey alone raised an incredible €3,500 for EOPD Ireland.
The fundraising momentum continued throughout the evening. Between ticket sales, table donations, the silent auction and a live auction expertly led by Teresa O’Shea, our community came together in extraordinary fashion.
We are also deeply grateful to those who donated their time and talents. Evelyn McNamara captured the evening through photography free of charge, preserving memories that will last a lifetime. The Jam Tarts filled the room with energy, while DJ Luke Curran kept the dancefloor alive into the early hours, both generously donating their services in support of the cause.
Guests were dressed to the nines, friendships were strengthened, new connections were made, and a community united by resilience and hope came together to make a lasting impact.
This was more than a fundraising event. It was a celebration of courage, friendship, generosity and community.
On behalf of everyone at EOPD Ireland, and everyone living with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease, thank you for standing with our community, for believing in our mission and for helping to make our work possible.
