Limerick Thomond Rotary Club Annual Christmas Remembrance Tree 2018 launched

Rotary Club Remembrance Tree 2018 was launched by Mayor of Limerick Daniel Butler at Bedford Row. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Limerick Thomond Rotary Club Annual Christmas Remembrance Tree 2018 launched

The official launch of the Limerick Thomond Rotary Remembrance Tree 2018 took place Saturday, December 1 on Bedford Row. The project was launched by Mayor Daniel Butler, Conn Murray, Chief Executive of Limerick City & County Council and representatives of this year’s recipient charities Clionas Foundation, Cuain Mhuire, and the Oesophageal Cancer Fund.

The Rotary Clubs bring together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.

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The Limerick Thomond Rotary Club annual Christmas remembrance tree project has been running in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, since 2009 and has raised over €140,000 over that time. The Rotary Remembrance Tree 2018 will provide a public space where people can remember loved ones who have died and loved ones who are unable to be at home for the Christmas holidays. People write the name of a loved one on a yellow ribbon and have it placed on the tree. There is no charge and voluntary donations are accepted.

This year’s recipient charities are Clionas Foundation, Cuain Mhuire, and the Oesophageal Cancer Fund.

Cliona’s Foundation was set up by Brendan and Terry Ring from Lough Gur back in 2006 following the loss of their child Cliona from an inoperable brain tumour at the age of 16. The Limerick-based charity has raised over €1.5 million for 550 families all across the country. Cliona’s Foundation provides well-needed, non-medical expenses to the parents with children with life-limiting or threatening illnesses or complex care needs. No other charity in Ireland offers financial support solely for non-medical costs which can amount to significant sums.

Brendan said, “We went through the experience and that’s where the concept of Cliona’s Foundation came from because we had spent a lot of time with Cliona in a number of Hospitals across the country. We understand and know the feeling parents have when they have a sick child and they’re struggling financially for the non-medical expenses and we want to highlight that.”

Breda Deedigan getting the first of the Ribbons from Dylan and Lucia Bande, at the Launch of the Limerick Thomond Rotary Club Remembrance Tree at Bedford Row. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Cuan Mhuire is Ireland’s largest voluntary provider of Addiction Treatment Services and Residential Rehabilitation. Its main objective is the rehabilitation of persons suffering from alcohol, drug and gambling addictions. The Cuan Mhuire Programme is based on the philosophy of total abstinence and strives to restore the confidence, self-respect, and sense of responsibility of all participants.

Established in 2001 the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) is a registered charity and voluntary organisation, which has grown to be the national voice representing oesophageal cancer in Ireland. Their aim is to raise awareness of the symptoms related to oesophageal cancer and to provide funding for research into the disease.

The Rotary Remembrance Tree 2018 will function each day from 10.30am to 5 pm throughout this period when citizens and visitors may write a name on a yellow ribbon of some person who has passed away or is unable to be at home this Christmas. The ribbons are free and the public may make a donation if desired for the benefit of the nominated charities.

From December 1 to December 23, 2018, the Rotary Remembrance Tree 2018 will become a sea of yellow with thousands of ribbons fixed to its branches and it is expected that during this period over 10,000 names will be remembered on the tree while visiting choirs and music groups will provide entertainment during this time.

For more information on Limerick Thomond Rotary Club, go here

For more information on Clionas Foundation Limerick Area click here

For more information on the Oesophageal Cancer Fund click here

For more information on Cuan Mhuire click here

For more stories on Rotary Remembrance Tree, go here