Write a comment
There was much festive cheer at the recent 15th Newry Chamber Christmas Charity Dinner at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry, since the annual event exceeded its groundbreaking target of £1million in fifteen years and as expected there were exciting celebrations, assisted by Trumpeters and exploding balloons, when the Charity Dinner Co-ordinator for the fifteen years, Feargal McCormack announced that the £1m target had been exceeded.
Guests, who brought along toys to be distributed locally by the Saint Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army were welcomed by Deborah Loughran, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade and Master of Ceremonies Orla Jackson. Jerome Mullen commenced the meal by saying Grace.
Rev. Michael Barry, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church from Sandys Street Presbyterian Church and Fr. Peter McVerry S.J. who grew up in Newry and has been working with vulnerable people in Dublin for the last 40 years were the Guests of Honour at the event and following very informative interviews with Radio and TV Personality Gerry Kelly, they were presented with special gifts by Deborah Loughran and cheques for their nominated charities.
Dinner patrons were treated to special festive entertainment by the presence of the international Silver Fish Band and students from local schools.
Over 740 people attended the gala dinner, together with 130 children from local schools. The Charity Dinner, combined with Santa Fun Run, which was held on 21 November 2014, raised £84,000 approximately for local children’s charities incorporating cash and toys. As a result, total funding raised over the fifteen years of the Annual Christmas Charity event incorporating the Santa Run is £1,058,000.
Dr. Gerard O’Hare, Gemma Murphy and Declan McChesney presented three special primary school children with tickets / travel vouchers for their families to Euro Disney. The three special children were: Cara Byrne (Killowen P.S.); Katie Leigh McArdle (Ballyholland P.S.); and Lucy McDonnell (St. Joseph’s P.S. Bessbrook).
Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, event co-ordinator, Feargal McCormack, said they they were thrilled with the overwhelming success of the event, and its very positive contribution to the Greater Newry Area over the past 15 years.
The other nominated beneficiary charities of the 2014 Newry Business Christmas Charity Dinner were the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust Fund, Autism Mums Newry, Newry Gateway Club, PIPS Newry & Mourne, Headway Newry, Rathore School Special Needs Associated Summer Scheme, St Vincent de Paul Society, The Salvation Army, The Children’s Ward Daisy Hill Hospital and the Southern Area Hospice.
The McParland brothers John and Pat and their management and staff at the Canal Court Hotel received much praise for their exceptional professionalism and generous support in hosting the beautiful dinner in a very efficient manner.
The organising committee of Deborah Loughran, Dr. Gerard O’Hare, Declan McChesney, Jerome Mullen, Gemma Murphy, Orla Jackson, Jack Murphy and Feargal McCormack (event co-ordinator) were congratulated on the magnificent success of the Charity event.
