Festive cheer at Newry Business Christmas Charity Dinner
There was much festive cheer at the Newry Business Christmas Charity Dinner and the 120th Anniversary Celebration of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade on Thursday evening 6th December 2012 at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.
The Charity Dinner and Chamber Celebration event was a fantastic success and a very memorable and enjoyable occasion.
Guests, who brought along toys to be distributed locally by the Saint Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army were welcomed by Cathal Austin, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade and Master of Ceremonies Deborah Loughran.
The guest speaker at the event was Mickey Harte who enthralled the large gathering with his words of wisdom and life experiences.
“The Michaela Foundation – Life without limits” was the beneficiary charity from the proceeds of a special raffle at the event and John McAreavey spoke touchingly about the core values of The Michaela Foundation.
Dinner patrons were treated to special festive entertainment by the presence of international violinist Patricia Treacy and students from local schools.
Over 750 people attended the gala dinner, together with 100 children from local schools. The Charity Dinner, combined with Santa Fun Run, which was held on 22nd November 2012, raised £80,262 approximately for local children’s charities incorporating cash and toys.
As a result, total funding raised over the thirteen years of the Annual Christmas Charity event incorporating the Santa run is £888,754.
Dr. Gerard O’Hare, Gemma Murphy and Declan McChesney presented four special primary school children with tickets / travel vouchers for their families to Euro Disney.
Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, event co-ordinator, Feargal McCormack, said he was thrilled with the overwhelming success of the event, which has now become the premier business social event in the region.
He added, “Adversity and challenging economic times has the habit of bringing out the best in people and the Newry Charity Dinner is all about people and the Christmas Spirit of giving to others.”
In addition to The Michaela Foundation, the other nominated beneficiary charities of the Christmas Charity Dinner were the Newry Gateway Club, PIPS Newry & Mourne, 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 Cathal Austin, Dr. Gerard O’Hare, Declan McChesney, Jerome Mullen, Gemma Murphy, Deborah Loughran, Colleen Dowdall, Jack Murphy and Feargal McCormack (Event Co-ordinator) were congratulated on the magnificent success of the Charity event.
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