CELEBRITY dancer and Dancing with the Stars host Julian Benson gave back all that he has received in 48 years of life since being born with Cystic Fibrosis, raising more than €20,000 at the 20th Anniversary International Ladies Tournament in aid of his fledgling charity, the Julian Benson CF Foundation.

The charity fundraiser tournament last Thursday at the AIPC in the Phoenix Park featured the Colm Quinn BMW Mixed Match with the Thomond Asset Management team and the Mercantile Group team along with a star-studded celebrity match, sponsored by Pynck.com and the Julian Benson Foundation.

The delighted winners were the Keelings Team Ireland, coming out on top of Diageo Team England in the ECOMM International Ladies Match. Meanwhile, the pitch-side marquee was filled with up to 300 in attendance, raising funds for the new fixed goal charity.

Julian Benson was not expected to live beyond the age of 12 years old. “It is now time for me to give back, I am personally delighted that my foundation has been chosen by the polo team at polo.ie to be the beneficiary.

“For me, it is about making a huge difference. There are so many families who travel to Dublin week on week for treatment for CF and people who are on transplant lists, so I am trying to build a 10-bedroom facility in Dublin for families where they can stay in a safe haven with their loved ones who are sick in hospital.

“Secondly, I am trying to build Ireland’s first Wellness Respite Retreat where families and patients can go and recover in a holistic environment, to give them treatment in an open air environment. No matter what challenge anyone has, believe in you. You just have to believe, support each other and you can make it,” said Benson.

Charity auction

Among the most lucrative donated items sold at the charity auction by MC Brendan McArdle were tickets for 10 people to the Julian Benson Foundation Winter Wonderland Ball for €4,000, a London Gastronomy Affair with chef Adrian and jewellery by Paul Sheeran Jewellers, each for €2,000, and a day at the races for €1,700 compliments of Horse Racing Ireland.

Items also included an overnight stay at Tinakilly House Hotel, equestrian art by John Fitzgerald, a weekend at Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, a complimentary car from Audi Ireland along with leather luggage by Staag and a helicopter tour of Dublin from AIPC President Paul Monahan, as well as a framed and signed bib of Peter Lawrie, European Golf Tour winner.

Devon Murray donated a collection from the Harry Potter movies, where he appeared as the wizard Seamus Finnegan. A framed and signed print of former professional rugby player Paul O’Connell was contributed by artist and designer Shane Monahan.

Rosalind Lipsett won the Design Centre prize for the Best Dressed Lady, wearing a dress by My Kind of Dress and shoes by Dunnes Stores.

Text donations

Donations can be made directly to The Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by texting BUILD to 50300. The Text-to-Donate Campaign goes directly to the charity in every text message received.