South Tipperary Hospice will benefit from tradition of remembering loved ones at Christmas

Above: At the launch of the Remembrance Tree in Mulcahy Park were, from left, Seamus Ryan, Rotary; Rotary president Paul Davey; Maura Cooney, South Tipperary Hospice; District Mayor Pat English; Maud Shee, South Tipperary Hospice and Tom Duggan, Rotary

Clonmel Rotary Club will host its annual Remembrance Tree, in aid of Hospice homecare nursing, once again in the town this Christmas.

Trees will be located at O’Connell Street, outside Dealz, and at Dunnes Stores, Davis Road, for nine days in the run-up to Christmas.

Mayor of Clonmel Borough District, Pat English, who launched the event earlier this week, paid tribute to the Rotary Club for its ongoing commitment to charities and worthwhile causes in the town.

Remembering loved ones who have passed away is a wonderful tradition at Christmas and the Remembrance Tree is a special way to do this.

People can write the name of a loved one on a ribbon that is then attached to the tree, while making a contribution to Hospice.
In addition to cash contributions, an app has also been developed to allow electronic contributions, with details available at the trees.

The trees will be manned by members of Clonmel Rotary Club, by South Tipperary Hospice members and by volunteers on the two weekends before Christmas.

On Sunday, January 1, all the ribbons from both trees will be taken to Ss Peter and Paul’s Church for 11am Mass, when the ribbons will be blessed and all those named on them will be prayed for.

The campaign will run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 9, 10 and 11; and on Friday to Wednesday, December 16 to 21 inclusive.

The funds raised each year provide vital support for the Hospice service, and Clonmel Rotary Club is hugely grateful to the people of Clonmel, and those who visit from surrounding areas, who give so generously when out shopping on the run-up to Christmas.

Club president Paul Davey describes the generosity of the people of the town to the campaign as exceptional, and says he is confident that the same spirit of giving will apply this year.

Mr Davey added, “The Hospice homecare nursing service is one of the most deserving charities in the country, doing wonderful work each year to alleviate the suffering of those who are seriously ill, and to help their families to cope with it.

“And the people of this county have always given Hospice great support in their efforts, particularly in raising funds to provide homecare nurses. I have no doubt but they will maintain that support for our Remembrance Trees this year.”

Mayor Pat English paid tribute to Clonmel Rotary for its continued support over many years for worthwhile causes at home and overseas.

“The Remembrance Tree is a very special project and I congratulate the club for its commitment to supporting South Tipperary Hospice and its homecare nursing service. And I am sure that the people of Clonmel will be as generous as they always have been for such a deserving cause”, Mayor English stated.

He said he was delighted to offer the campaign his full support and privileged to launch it.

“Rotary members have done great work for various charities over many years and the Remembrance Tree is another example of their commitment to the community. The money raised will stay in Clonmel and make an enormous contribution”, he added.