Brian Cody and Kilkenny Lions launch their Spirit of Christmas Hamper Appeal

The Lions Spirit of Christmas Hamper Appeal was launched last week in the Newpark Hotel by Mayor John Coonan, Lions President Maurice Regan and special guest Brian Cody.

Cathaoirleach Mary Hilda Cavanagh sent her full support and best wishes for the Hamper Appeal. George Candler was MC for the launch. At the launch, Mayor John Coonan extended a massive thank you to the Lions Club for their incredible work.

“The spirit of our community of looking out for our neighbours is something I have always cherished, and this appeal is a shining example of that spirit,” he said.

“The Christmas season is a time of giving and I urge everyone to support this wonderful cause and annual tradition.”
Lions President Maurice Regan said it was a privilege to launch this year’s 2025 Spirit of Christmas Hamper Appeal, and he is delighted that it is again being undertaken in partnership with KCLR and the Kilkenny People.
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He added that the Spirit of Christmas builds on the success of the annual hamper appeal which has been run by Kilkenny Lions Club for the past 33 years. This, and other events, since 2002, have raised close to €1 million for local organisations.

He remarked that 100% of the money collected is distributed to the charities as no administration or other costs are incurred. The proceeds have gone to assist many local organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul Society, Kilkenny Social Services, Church of Ireland, Good Shepherd Centre, Amber Women’s Refuge Centre and many other organisations throughout the city and county. In total, Kilkenny Lions have supported well over 100 local community organisations over that period.

The primary fundraising is through the auction and sale of goods or services donated by local businesses. The appeal is divided into two sections, a Farm Section and a General Section. The Kilkenny People newspaper publishes the General and Farm Auction lists with names of over 200 businesses over a three-week period prior to and during the auction. The goods or services are then auctioned by KCLR96FM on air and it is hoped over €25,000 will be raised.

The General and Farm Auctions will take place this year in late November and early December. The farm auction will be on Thursday, November 27 and again on Thursday, December 4. The General auction will run from Tuesday, December 2 to Thursday, December 2.

This event would not be the wonderful success that it has been over the years without the support and generosity of many hardworking people in our community. Kilkenny Lions would like to thank the many people who contribute unselfishly each year to making this a success:

KCLR and Kilkenny People for their partnership over the years;
Brian Cody for his unfailing support each year;
The 200 or so local businesses, without whose generosity, the auction could not happen;
The people of Kilkenny who donate so generously;
Fellow members of the Lions Club who give hugely of their time each year.

Mr Regan confirmed that the Schools Christmas concert will take place on Thursday, December 11. The annual street collection will take place on December 13. He concluded by thanking again everybody for their support of the Lions Xmas Appeal and is confident that it will be a tremendous success.

Brian Cody congratulated the Lions Club for all their great work over the years and he was delighted and privileged to have been asked to launch the appeal with the Mayor and President of Kilkenny Lions Club.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to the volunteers in the Lions club and all the volunteers in our local organisations in the city and county,” he said, highlighting the generosity of the people of Kilkenny who are never found wanting in helping the less well off.

He also thanked the business community who every year donate a significant amount of items for the auction. He concluded by wishing Lions every success over the Christmas period.