A Co Down rave fanatic has shared her joy after an appeal for concert tickets saw a sea of kindhearted people help get her to the ' gig of her dreams .'
Charlene Molloy, 39, was left 'devastated' when she was unable to get her hands on a ticket for the free Féile an Phobail event.
Living with autism and learning difficulties, the Downpatrick woman struggles with some daily activities, including the use of the internet, which in turn led to her missing out on the online tickets.
She told Belfast Live: "Because of my learning difficulties, I struggle to go online to order the tickets.
"I am very nervous about online and would be afraid of my bank card details being stolen.
"When I heard that they were sold out I was so upset I felt like crying so when I got the call to tell me I would be going I was so excited, it was as if I had won the lottery."
Charlene went to the dance night on Thursday 8 August with her two friends and 'danced all night long.'
She said: "When I got into the Falls Park I didn't waste any time and got straight into the music and started dancing straight away.
"My body gets so much energy with the rave music. I am loving life when I am at a rave and I can switch off from the world.
"When I am at a rave I don't care what else is going on in the world.
"I danced all night. Nobody in this world can out dance me. Nobody.
"They might try but they would give up after 10 minutes because they'd be tired.
"I danced for eight hours on Thursday night and didn't stop once or get tired. My body is used to it now.
"The beats of the music keeps me going and the speed of the song keeps me going for hours.
"Someone told me that they hoped to see me on Féile's stage next year DJing and that is just my absolute dream.
"I would go to raves 365 days a year. I wouldn't miss them for love nor money. They are just my life."
Describing rave music as her "therapy," Charlene spends her free time going to gigs with her friends and on the decks at home.
She told Belfast Live that since her appeal, she has been approached by members of the rave community who have been inspired by her story and has been offered a DJ slot in Time Nightclub.
"I am delighted about the article. I am so grateful to everyone who was so lovely and supportive to me," she said.
"I have been offered a DJ gig in Time Nightclub at the end of August and I just couldn't believe it.
"This will be my first Belfast gig which is a dream to me. There is a crowd of people coming to see my that night so I am going to put on a good show.
"When I am the DJ it makes me feel like I am in control of the music and it is a good feeling to know that I am in control of things.
"I got a lot of support from the article and when I was at the dance night people were coming up to me because the recognised me from the article.
"They were telling me that my story was inspirational. It made me feel really good knowing that people out there do care about me.
"Going to a rave gives me freedom. The freedom helps me in today's world to escape.
"Some people don't understand what the music does to mean and how much it means to me.
"I be so high as a kite with the rave music and it is an amazing feeling."
Sinn Féin Councillor Stephen Magennis was inspired by Charlene's story and arranged for tickets to be delivered to her Downpatrick home .
He told Belfast Live: "I am just glad that I could help Charlene.
"I remember her at Féile last year and the fun she had there.
"I have an autistic son so I know how certain things help and I fully understand what Charlene goes through and how music helps her.
"I am so glad that she had a great night."
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