Kilkenny Lions Club hosted a special event, last Friday, celebrating the distribution of €12,000 to local charities and community groups. The gathering was attended by local dignitaries including Cathaoirleach Michael McCarthy, Mayor Andrew McGuinness, and a host of special guests such as Comdt Aidan Ryan, Pat Brett (Kilkenny Tennis Club), and representatives from various community organisations. “The Kilkenny Lions Club has been serving the city for nearly 50 years,” Lions Club President Gerry McGovern said. “With 25 dedicated members, who are all volunteers, we have raised approximately €900,000 over the past two decades, benefiting over 100 charities and community groups.” In addition to fundraising, the club is involved in community initiatives such as ‘Keep Kilkenny Beautiful,’ spectacle recycling and the ‘Message in a Bottle’ programme, which assists older residents in accessing emergency services. This latest round of funding was made possible through a series of successful fundraising efforts. Gerry McGovern took the opportunity to acknowledge the many contributors who played a vital role in raising the funds. Mayor Andrew McGuinness was singled out for his efforts in mobilising local businesses to support the Mayor’s Fund, even performing in a concert at the Watergate Theatre to aid the cause. The Defence Forces also stepped up, with Comdt Aidan Ryan and his team organising a street collection before Christmas. The Kilkenny Tennis Club, led by Brian Doyle, Captain Ruth Carolan and Rena O’Connor administrator, ran a competitive event, with proceeds generously matched by donors Pat Brett and Phil Keneally of Ecopower. One of the club’s flagship fundraising events, the annual Christmas Auction, was a major success. The Kilkenny People newspaper provided exceptional support by running a two-page spread featuring auction items for two consecutive weeks during the busy holiday season. Meanwhile, local radio station KCLR played a crucial role, with presenters John Walsh, Shannon Redmond, Shane O’Keeffe, Vinny Bradley and evening farming broadcaster George Candler working tirelessly to promote and sell over 100 auction items over four days. Local businesses, including Bollards, were commended for their continued backing of the club’s initiatives. The club’s tireless efforts resulted in an impressive €40,000 raised before Christmas. A significant portion was donated to St. Vincent de Paul before the holidays and the latest €12,000 in funds has now been distributed. Looking Ahead The Lions Club has three more fundraising events planned before the summer. First up is a Quiz Night in aid of Cois Nore, taking place in Newpark on Wednesday, March 19. A Duck Race on the River Nore and a Golf Classic are scheduled later in the year. Cathaoirleach Michael McCarthy commended the Lions Club for the exemplary and extraordinary work carried out annually in the challenging area of fundraising. Mayor Andrew McGuinness paid tribute to the Lions for their great work in assisting local organisations over the years and said that the people of Kilkenny were very thankful to them. He also thanked the voluntary work of the organisations who were receiving cheques, as they play a huge role in improving the services available in their communities. He said he was delighted to have given the proceeds of the Mayors Christmas Appeal to the Lions Club, as he knew how respected they were in Kilkenny and so many local organisations benefit from their fundraising throughout the year. The groups presented with funds were: KASA-Kilkenny Rape Crisis Centre; Family Carers Ireland (Kilkenny); Southeast Radiotherapy Trust Ltd. SERT; Dalton House Day Centre, Gowran; Kilkenny Sub Aqua; ALONE; L’Arche , Kilkenny; Thomastown Community Center; Ossary Youth; Kilkenny Traveller Community Movement; Muckalee Community Café; Graignamanagh Men’s Shed; Defence Forces Benevolent Fund.