For the first time since 2019, Castlebar Rotary Club will again host it’s flagship fundraising project, the Tree of Remembrance, from Saturday 17th December to Friday 23rd December. Since this fundraising event started in 2008, it has raised almost €40,000 for local charities. The purpose of the Tree is to give members of the public an opportunity to remember a loved one at Christmas while supporting local charities with a voluntary donation.
The Tree of Remembrance will again be located on Hopkins Road, outside Dunnes Stores. Each loved one will be remembered by placing a ribbon on the Tree and all intentions will be prayed for at 10am Mass in the Holy Rosary Church on Christmas Eve. This year the Rotary Club have partnered with Mayo Cancer Support and Castlebar Social Services to support them in the vital services they both deliver in the community.
Rotary Club President Willie Geraghty, in launching the event, said: “This project is unique in that it affords people an opportunity to remember their loved ones in a very tangible way while at the same time supporting two very worthwhile local charities – Mayo Cancer Support and Castlebar Social Services. We are again appealing to the people of Castlebar and all visitors to the Town during this festive period to take some time out and visit The Tree of Remembrance on Hopkins Road and take part in this very unique project”
Manager of Mayo Cancer Support, Trisha Greavy explains “As a local registered charity that provides emotional support to people affected by cancer, we appreciate that Christmas time can be very difficult for those who are grieving or dealing with a serious illness. We hope that the symbolism of having a loved one represented on the Tree of Remembrance and prayed for at Mass will bring some element of comfort”.
Castlebar Social Services are very busy with their meals on wheels, Day Centre and telephone befriending services at this time of the year and are grateful for the opportunity to raise funds to support these services.
