Rotary Club presents cheques to four great causes
Members of Carlow Rotary Club with representatives from various local causes
ROTARY Carlow proudly presented cheques totalling €7,400 to four local charities at an event in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow recently.
The funds were raised through the annual Remembrance Tree campaign, which has evolved beyond a fundraiser to become a cherished community tradition that brings comfort and connection during the Christmas season. The tree is erected every December on Barrack Street, when the public are invited to buy a yellow ribbon and to write a late loved one’s name on it before hanging it on the tree.
Representatives from the beneficiary organisations – St Vincent de Paul, Éist Cancer Support Services, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (Bethany House) and the Delta Centre – each received €1,800 at the event. St Leo's College was also presented with €200 in recognition of its students' dedicated volunteer contributions.
"The Remembrance Tree has become more than a fundraiser; it's now a place where our community comes together to remember loved ones and share their stories," said Aoife Doyle, president of Rotary Carlow, during a heartfelt speech. "Every ribbon represents not just a donation but a memory, a connection to someone special."
The evening featured Anne-Marie Peters from Éist Cancer Support Services as guest speaker, who shared touching examples of how the funds directly impact families who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis. She highlighted Eist's work in providing free emotional and practical support for people and families affected by cancer, including complementary health treatments such as reflexology and lymph drainage.
Aoife specifically acknowledged Unum Ireland, which has supported the initiative for the majority of its 11-plus-year history. Other key sponsors recognised included Touch Point Media, Seven Oaks Hotel and supporting sponsors Thomas M Byrne & Son, Lucidity Factory, Bank of Ireland, Jones Business Systems, Carlow Credit Union, Slimming World with Mary, AIB, Curry Garden and SRL Talent Management.
The Seven Oaks Hotel was acknowledged for providing Rotary Carlow with a venue for monthly meetings since the club's inception and for its ongoing logistical support for the Remembrance Tree project. Student volunteers April Kehoe and Caoimhe Fanning from St Leo's College were present to receive certificates of appreciation, with Aoife noting that all student volunteers would receive recognition for their valuable contribution.
As the formal proceedings concluded, attendees mingled over refreshments, many sharing their personal experiences with the recipient charities and reflecting on memories of loved ones honoured on the tree. The event concluded with an open invitation for community members to attend a Rotary meeting and consider joining to support not only the Remembrance Tree but also other projects benefiting the local community.
