Allen's snooker and pool marathon raises over £25,900 for family of late publican

MARK Allen has thanked those who helped raise over £25,900 for the family of a local man in a 24 hour snooker and pool marathon, including 98 frames of snooker and over 300 frames of pool.

Pool fanatic and publican Tyler McConnell (37) from Doagh passed away from cancer in November, and the Mark Allen Foundation event aimed to raise money to support his partner Kirsty and three young children Sophia, Reggie and Ronnie.

Mark said of the event at Antrim Snooker Club: “This event was organised and executed in less than three weeks with a huge thank you to Kyle Kirkwood for his tireless efforts both in the build up and throughout the day of the event itself. The man didn’t stop

“Thanks to Gary Clarke, Ronan McCarthy, Rab McCullough, our pool professionals along with friends of Tyler, Johnny Mackay, Stephen Herron, Wayne Lewis, Gee Crawley, Jeff Moore and Craig Laughlin doing the 24 hours of pool and to snooker professionals Jordan Brown and Robbie McGuigan for helping fill the 24 hours of snooker. You’re all amazing

“To Rab Fee, Claire Stewart and Rhys Fee who didn’t stop all day behind the counter, giving up the premises for the day and couldn’t have done anymore to help throughout, thank you

“Other helpers on the day were once again Gee Crawley and Ciara Crawley along with Stephen Herron who made sure things were running smoothly

“To each and every person who donated a prize to our raffle our auction, who turned up on the day and donated or even just supported the event in person and to those who sponsored the centuries, thank you. This was a massive team effort and you helped us smash our original target we’d set of £8000.

“We are still waiting on our final total as there a few auction payments still outstanding but we will definitely break the £20,000 mark which is incredible but speaks volumes of what everyone thought of Tyler and his family.

“The whole community really came together

“Thank you all the family who came on the day also, it really hit home as to the gravity of what has happened. To see Kirsty and the kids there and Tyler’s and Kirsty’s parents was so emotional and I’m very proud to be involved in helping Kirsty and the kids, even just a little bit in what is an awful time for them all.

“I’m very proud to be involved on behalf of The Mark Allen Foundation and we can’t wait to get the final payments in and write that cheque.”

Mr Allen later handed over £25,000 to Kirsty.

Kirsty said: “Thanks to everyone involved for their support. It means so, so much from me and the kids.”

Also in the past week, the Mark Allen foundation donated to Stoneworks Gym’s homeless appeal and is giving out 25 £100 vouchers for Smyth’s Toys.