A west Limerick nun who was honoured with an MBE award in 2009 for her outstanding work with the Fireside Centre in Birmingham, was the star of the night at the recent annual Brolly and Friends Concert in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.

Sr Sabina, formerly from the Kildimo-Pallaskenry area, and who is a member of The Sisters of Charity of St Paul the Apostle, spent 40 years teaching in Corpus Christie School in Coventry, where she was head teacher for most of that time. Just over 20 years ago, she retired and helped to set up the Fireside Centre. Today, she still is working hard there alongside 70 volunteers.

This year’s show was in aid of the Fireside Centre, a charity that helps feed, clothe and give advice to homeless people in Birmingham. The community responded with a full house at the famous venue.

Sr Sabina, a loyal Birmingham City football fan and who likes to hear of Limerick hurlers doing well back home, was accorded a prolonged standing ovation on the night.

Many of Ireland’s best known entertainers have graced the stage of the Symphony Hall over the past 15 years since Bob held his first fundraising concert. This time, the acts on stage were Shawn Cuddy, Marc Roberts, Annette Griffin and John Staunton, Fergal Flaherty, who is the resident singer at The Hole in the Wall Pub in Tenerife, and legendary steel guitar player, Basil Hendricks, who features with many of the top Irish country bands, and who was the musical director for the night.

The show also featured west Midlands trad band Rangari, the Scanlon School of Irish Dancing, Tracey Hanna, and the Birmingham Irish Pipes and Drums.

The surprise guest was Tony Christie who was delighted to lend his support to the cause. Tony performed his classic hits, Is This The Way To Amarillo and I Did What I Did For Maria. His family connections are with Claremorris, Co Mayo.

Brendan Mulvey, a Leitrim man who now resides in Sligo but lived in Birmingham for many years, is among the coordinators at the prestigious show each year. He says the concert is now the social highlight of the year for many of the Irish and their friends in the Birmingham region

“The first show was held to raise money for the victims of the Omagh Bombing. Over the years, various charities have benefited from the proceeds of the show. Down the years, all the artists taking part in the shows, both from Ireland and the UK, gave their services free of charge.

“Bob Brolly is a native of Derry City but has lived in Coventry since boyhood. He is a presenter on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. He also has his own band and over the years has raised millions of pounds for many charities.

Every year he broadcasts the parade live on BBC Radio. For his services to so many worthwhile causes, he was awarded the MBE. Sr Sabina was an incredibly popular guest on the show this time,” says Brendan.