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It's a testament to the hard working Newry Business Christmas Charity Dinner Committee, that an incredible £122.030 was raised this year. Of course the event would not happen without the support of the Newry business community who each year turn out in their hundreds.
Around 500 people attended last night's Charity Dinner in the Canal Court Hotel, the 24th year of the fundraiser. Guests didn't arrive empty handed though, each one bringing a Christmas present for a child that contributed to a massive toy mountain in the foyer of the hotel. In total there were close to 2000 toys donated.
Shane Morgan and Sophie Lennon sang and local schools were also to the fore. Guests were entertained with Christmas Carols from Windsor Hill PS and St Patrick's PS. Other highlights included the Abbey Christian Brothers School Jazz Band and St Colman's Grammar School String Ensemble. A combined choir of pupils from St Mary's High and St Joseph's Boy's also added to the Christmas buzz. Pupils from Newry High, Our Lady's and the Sacred Heart also helped keep the event running smoothly.
An incredible effort from pupils of St Colman's along with Principal Cormac McKinney saw the toy mountain cleared from the foyer last night, and today the toys have already been distributed to Caring Coins, Bolster Community, St Vincent DePaul and Kilkeel Development Association who will distribute them to children in need.
A new award was presented this year in memory of Declan McChesney who contributed so much to the annual event, and who passed away in October 2022. The 'Declan McChesney Spirit of Christmas Award' was presented by MC Declan McConaghy to the 'Christmas Elves' of St Joseph's Convent Primary School, Newry. The school's Primary 3 class has helped bring guest presents to the massive toy mountain at the event for many years.
A committee representative said "We are absolutely overwhelmed and extremely grateful to every single individual and business that contributed to our fundraiser this year. We are thrilled to announce our total value of toys, cash donations and vouchers come to a staggering £122,000
"We’d like to particularly thank our corporate sponsors Rathbane Group, Regen Waste and Cunningham Contracts Group for their contribution. We’d also like to thank our hosts the Canal Court Hotel for their amazing support over the last 24 years."
