Lights for the hospice and CARMHA

Presentation of proceeds at Nenagh family’s home

Proceeds from a Nenagh family’s Christmas lights fundraiser were presented to North Tipperary Hospice and CARMHA last week.

The Ahern festive lighting extravaganza at their Yewston home has been an increasingly popular feature of local Christmas attractions for many years now. Pat and Patricia Ahern have always decked out their house and garden with a wonderful array of lights and decorations. Over the last 10 years or so, they have invited visitors to leave a donation to the hospice; in the last two years, the Aherns have donated a portion of the proceeds to another great cause in need of support, CARMHA (Connection and Recovery in Mental Health and Addiction).

Last week Pat and Patricia presented €3,000 from their Christmas '21 collection to the hospice along with €500 to CARMHA. Among those present at their Yewston home was Paddy Heffernan of the hospice, who warmly thanked the Aherns and everyone who supported their fundraiser. Mr Heffernan said the Christmas lights display is a gratefully received source of funding for the hospice every year.

SERVICE UNDER THREAT

Also present was Donie Ryan, psychotherapist and co-founder of CARMHA, who late last year warned that the Nenagh-based addiction and mental health counselling service is under threat of closure due to lack of funding. Mr Ryan said this threat still very much remains, as CARMHA is receiving no funding other than donations contributed by the likes of the Ahern collection.

He added that the service has been busier since last Christmas than at any time since it was founded in 2018. Applications for State funding have been made, and Mr Ryan said meetings are taking place with local TDs to try and find sustainable funding for CARMHA, a service that he said would not be replaced if it is lost.

Patricia Ahern spoke of how the inspiration to light up her house for charity came from a village she visited in England one Christmas, when her daughter Catherine was undergoing treatment for cancer. Every single house in the village had Christmas lights, and if one resident was unable to provide lights, the others would help out. The festive scene attracted thousands of visitors from all over the country and they left donations for a local cancer charity.

THANKS

She and Pat took the opportunity to thank everyone who supported their fundraiser last Christmas, including those who played music and helped with the launch on December 3. They wanted to thank the Nenagh Guardian, Tipp FM, Parish Newsletter, Nenagh Brass Band, Damian O'Donoghue, Joanne McCarthy, Liam Maloney, Tom Bán (Nenagh Live), Tom Doherty, Bridget Delaney, Philly Ryan, Diarmuid Quirke, Mark and Ben Wallace, Kevin Liston, Patrick Alonso, Liam Shinnors, and all friends, family and neighbours.

Thanks also to the following businesses that contributed: Martina Jones (Back to Basics), Cleary’s Garage, DK Travel, Manning sweets, Centra, Hanleys Woolen Mills, Clare St Pharmacy, Ryan's Pharmacy, Martin Morris (Hibernian Inn), Donal O'Connor (Kenyon St Market), Collins Bakery, Lidl, Aldi, Dunnes Stores, Tesco, JKC's, A Sportsman's Dream, The Thatched Cottage, Philip's Furniture, Abbey Court leisure centre.

“Thanks to everyone who supported us," Patricia said. “Without their help, we would not have the money to hand over.”