Birdhill wren group’s €6,000 cheque for Milford

The dedication of a group of talented entertainers to fundraising for Milford Care Centre, annually on St Stephen's Day over the past four decades, is almost unequalled in the country.

The origin of the Birdhill Wren Group, more than 40 years ago, to raise funding for the charity, was recalled on Saturday night, when another cheque for €6,000, the proceeds of the 2022 fundraiser was presented.

Tim Floyd said that the group of singers, dancers and musicians got together in the early 1980s, with the objective of supporting the work of the developing Milford Hospice at Castletroy - and they haven't stopped since - raising a substantial amount annually.

He remembered in particular “we have lost a lot of members over the years” and “some of the people gave their final days in Milford, which is all the more reason we have kept going”.

He expressed sympathy to Margaret Lowry and her family on the recent passing of a husband and dad, Josh Lowry, who represented Milford Care to accept their cheque a year ago and is “a huge loss to his family and the broader community”, which he served so dedicatedly for years.

The cheque was accepted, on behalf of Milford Care, by John Higgins, who explained that 300 people work in Milford Care Centre, which has an annual operating cost of €17m, and is highly reliant on contributions to supplement the state funding received.

Mr Floyd thanked all who have supported the group in so many ways, contributors, providers of transport, entertainers over the years.

He said that the group used social media to continue their mission in 2022, with the support of well-known local and national entertainers contributing to the online programme, which ran for 13 days.

The evening at the Cooper's Bar, Birdhill, concluded with entertainment and hospitality for all.