Chamber raises almost £100K for Local Causes

Local worthy causes will benefit to the tune of almost £100,000 after last weeks Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade's 17th Annual Christmas Charity Dinner.

More than 700 patrons attended the dinner in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry. After breaking the £1 million fundraising target for local charities two years ago, people were equally generous this year with just under £100,000 raised for local causes. This brings the total raised during the past 17 years to just under £1.230 million.

The annual total is a combination of more than £13,000 raised through the first ever Newry Christmas Charity Colour Run which attracted more than 750 runners; the sum of the value of the toys brought by guests for the huge toy mountain which will be distributed to local families through St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army this Christmas; ticket sales for the dinner, donations, a golden ticket raffle and a raffle on the night.

Amongst the special guests were TV star and comedian Ardal O Hanlon, Apprentice star Grainne McCoy, singer Susan McCann, politicians, clergy and dignitaries from across the island. The guests of honour were four very special local school children and their families who were nominated by their schools to receive dream holidays. Elish Larkin, Niall Travers, Daniel Boyle and Sean McKinley were presented with travel vouchers for a family holiday of their choice by committee members.

Speaking on behalf of the organising committee Michael McKeown, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade said, 'Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade is very proud of the generosity of its members. For the past 17 years businesses and individuals from across the greater Newry area have embraced the Christmas Charity Dinner to help families have a better Christmas and to support organisations/charities doing tremendous work in our communities.' 

Michael also thanked the management and staff of the Canal Court Hotel as well as the organising committee of Emma Turley, Dr Gerard O’Hare, Mark Crimmins, Gavin O’Shea, Deborah Loughran, Mary Meehan, Declan McChesney, Jack Murphy, Gemma Murphy, Natasha Daryaie and Tony McKeown.

All of the proceeds from the event were presented on the night to the beneficiary charities. There were 23 charities who benefitted from the Christmas Charity Colour Run and a host of others from the dinner they included Rathore School, Daisy Hill Children’s Ward, Head Injury Support, Southern Area Hospice Services, The Salvation Army, St Vincent De Paul, The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and Newry & District Gateway Club.

Pictured at the Newry Chamber of Commerce Annual Diinner in the Canal Court Hotel. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

Bishop John McAreavey with Ardal O'Hanlon at the Newry Chamber of Commerce Annual Diinner in the Canal Court Hotel. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

Bishop John McAreavey, Ardal O'Hanlon and Maureen and Pat Grant at the Newry Chamber of Commerce Annual Diinner in the Canal Court Hotel. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

And the new Chamber of Commerce President is ... Ardal O'Hanlon!!! - Well for a few seconds anyway! Ardal was special guest at the Newry Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner in the Canal Court Hotel last night which managed to raise almost £100,000 pounds for local charities. Gillian Fitzpatrick, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the real Chamber President, Michael McKeown are making sure the chain of office isn't heading for Craggy Island just yet! Photograph: Columba O'Hare

Grainne Mulgrew, Southern Area Hospice and Coleen Tinnley, USPCA with Ardal O'Hanlon at the Newry Chamber of Commerce Annual Diinner in the Canal Court Hotel. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

Brian Hyland and Dermot Mathers from the Newry Reporter with Gillian Fitzpatrick, Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down Council att he Newry Chamber of Commerce Annual Diinner in the Canal Court Hotel. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

All Red-dy for Christmas. Santa with Gillian Fitzpatrick, Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down Council at the Newry Chamber of Commerce Annual Diinner in the Canal Court Hotel. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

Michael McKeown, President, Newry Chamber of Commerce pictured with his family at the Newry Chamber of Commerce Annual Diinner in the Canal Court Hotel. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

Paddy McParland, Canal Court Hotel, passing on his congratulations to Michael McKeown, President, Newry Chamber of Commerce for the Chamber's fantastic fund raising and Christmas toy collection at their recent dinner. Also included is Fiona Murphy and Louise Young, Canal Court Hotel. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

Michael McKeown, President, Newry Chamber of Commerce pictured with Daniel Boyle, one of the Chamber's 'Dream Children' at last weeks Chamber Dinner. Also included is Daniel's Grandad Michael, Aunt Elaine and Dad Michael. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

Music in full swing at the Newry Chamber of Commerce Annual Diinner in the Canal Court Hotel. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

Imelda McParland, centre won the signed Irish Rugby jersey at the Newry Chamber of Commerce Annual Diinner in the Canal Court Hotel and she is pictured with her daughter Gillian Fitzpatrick, Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Geraldine O'Hagan, Manager, Bank of Ireland, Newry. Photograph: Columba O'Hare

Enjoying the Newry Chamber of Commerce Annual Diinner in the Canal Court Hotel. Photograph: Columba O'Hare