Pictures: Appeal helps Kilkenny Lions Club assist those in need at Christmas

The kindness of the county was there for all to see as the Kilkenny Lions Club distributed the proceeds from their festive fundraiser at a special event.

The annual Christmas Hamper Appeal was a big success, with funds helping a number of local organisations who attended the presentation ceremony in St Canice’s Cathedral.

Among the local organisations who will be helped are St Vincent De Paul, Amber Women’s Refuge Centre, Kilkenny Social Services (Meals on Wheels), Church of Ireland, Good Shepherd Centre and Barnardos, Kilkenny.

Pictures by Vicky Comerford
Maurice Regan, President of Kilkenny Lions Club, said that this year’s appeal was a tremendous success. He thanked the Kilkenny People and KCLR for dedicating so much time and resources to supporting the various Lions events.

The President praised the spirit of the people of Kilkenny, both business and community, who contributed so generously in these difficult times.
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Also commended were the members of Kilkenny Lions Club for their hard work and commitment over the past year.
The President thanked all this year’s sponsors, together with several donors who made significant monetary contributions. He hoped that they will continue to support Kilkenny Lions into the future.

He also thanked Mayor John Coonan for donating the proceeds of the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal to Lions. Dean Stephen Farrell was thanked for facilitating the Lions Club with the use of St Canice’s Cathedral for the annual schools’ concert and other fundraising events during the year.

The proceeds of this year’s fundraisers will assist the Lions Club in providing organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul with food vouchers this Christmas. Local organisations will also benefit when money is allocated by the Lions early next year and in May.

Area President St Vincent De Paul Phil Hickey, speaking on behalf of the organisations, thanked the Lions Club for giving these significant funds this Christmas. She added in the case of St Vincent De Paul that they would not be able to deliver the range of services that they offer without this funding from the Lions Club.

Dean Stephen Farrell thanked the Lions Club and said that the food vouchers will assist in helping the less well off this Christmas. This Christmas will again be extremely difficult for so many in the community. The Kilkenny Lions hope that the money raised will go some way to reduce the hardship that many families are facing across Kilkenny, city and county.

“It has been a truly great team effort,” said Mr Regan, “On behalf of the Lions Club, I wish everybody a Happy Christmas and New Year.”