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.
Lunch patrons were treated to beautiful festive entertainment by the presence of international violinist Patricia Treacy.
Over 650 people attended the gala lunch, together with 200 children from local schools. The Charity Lunch raised £67,852 approximately for local children’s charities incorporating cash and toys. As a result, total funding raised over the twelve years of the event is £808,750.
Prior to the commencement of the Charity Lunch, the Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade organised a Santa’s Charity Fun Run in Hill Street, with almost 100 Santas’ sponsored by local businesses, running for fun and cheered on by local Personality Big O.
There was a warm welcome at the event for Julia Sokele, wearing her exquisite Princess Dress, who will represent Northern Ireland and Latvia at the Face of Europe Finals in Euro Disney from 8 –10 December 2011, The Disney Princess then assisted by Dr. Gerard O’Hare, Gemma Murphy, Orla Jackson and Declan McChesney presented three special primary school children with travel vouchers for their families to travel to Euro Disney and Nashville, USA. The three special primary school children were:
Lauren Maguire – Ballyholland Primary School Ciaran Finn Lynch – St. Joseph’s Primary School, Bessbrook Ronan Duffy, St. Malachy’s Primary School & Nursery Unit, Camlough
Ryan Cinnamond, a child of courage, who defied the odds, received a tremendous reception at the Charity Lunch and was presented with a voucher towards a family holiday.
A spokesperson for the organising committee 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 Lunch is all about people and the Christmas Spirit of giving to others”.
After Dinner Speaker, Gene Fitzpatrick and a variety of local schools provided entertainment at the event. The 12 nominated beneficiary charities of the Christmas Charity Lunch were the Newry Gateway Club, Rathore Special School and its associated Summer Scheme, St Vincent de Paul Society, The Salvation Army, The Children’s Ward Daisy Hill Hospital, Southern Area Hospice, the Polish Supplementary School in Newry, Friends of Children, Home-Start Newry & Mourne, The Drake Music Project, Riding for the Disabled Newry Group and the Pointer Programme.
The McParland brothers John and Pat, along with manager, Deborah Ferguson and her staff at the Canal Court Hotel received much praise for their exceptional professionalism and generous support in hosting the beautiful lunch in a very efficient manner.
The organising committee of Orla Jackson, Declan McChesney, Jerome Mullen, Gemma Murphy, Jack Murphy, Dr Gerard O’Hare and Lunch Co-ordinator, Feargal McCormack were congratulated on the magnificent success of the Charity Lunch.
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