Rotary Club of Carrickfergus Tree of Hope appeal raises £11,000 for charities

The club ran the appeal at Tesco Extra, Carrickfergus for a period of 11 days in December 2025.

Rotarian and non-Rotarian volunteers were joined by members of the Carrickfergus Men’s Probus Club; a new crop of recruits inspired by the project, and volunteers sourced through the benefitting charities to man the stall for 10 hours daily.

Rotarian Karen McMeekan, who compiled the extensive rota and Past President Mary Sinnamon, who annually garnered support for the appeal, commented on how delighted they were that so many Club members and non-Rotarian volunteers gave up so much of their time to help with the collection.

The club would also like to thank their regular team of volunteers for supporting their appeal each year, as well as all the new people who came on board this time round.

Past President Samuel Crowe, who has been one of the main organisers of the Tree Appeal, expressed gratitude to Tesco for their steadfast support every year, particularly to Community Champion Ann Ritchie and other staff members for all the work they do behind the scenes.

He also thanked Dennis Kennedy for donating a real Christmas tree each year to support the cause.

The wonderful amount raised this year of £11,000 gives an overall total raised from the last 15 years of £148,000.

"Thanks are also extended to Past President Brenda Houston and her husband John who did a wonderful job in sorting and banking the money in difficult circumstances beyond their control,” the club added.

At the club meeting on February 2, two cheques for £5,500 were handed over to Mark Irwin-Watson from Action Cancer and Julie Martin and Madison Wright from Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

As both organisations largely rely on donations, the money is invaluable to them each year, with both charities expressing their appreciation for the efforts of the Rotary Club of Carrickfergus and their volunteer supporters.

As with any charity collection, volunteers are essential for success, and the club would be very glad of more help next year to cover the extensive rota.

Anyone who is interested in helping with the Christmas Tree collection is asked to please leave your details on the club’s Facebook page.

Apart from the Christmas Tree of Hope Appeal, in the last 15 months the Rotary Club of Carrickfergus has generously donated over £8,500 to a variety of charities including Team Haven, Helping Hands, Hope House, the Eilish Deignan Foundation, Food Banks, Growing Through, Cithrah, Polio Plus, Rotary Foundation, and Lend with Care.

In addition, they have sent £1,000 to Shelter Box and would like to most sincerely thank members of the public who very generously donated to that appeal at the Whitehead Victorian Fair.

They would also like to acknowledge and thank the Davison Family and the staff of the NK Group who donate proceeds from their annual Golf Day to the Rotary Club for distribution to local charities.

The Club is always pleased to welcome new members; anyone interested in learning more is asked to leave their details on the Facebook page or write to the club c/o The Honorary Secretary, Carrickfergus Town Hall, 2B Joymount, Carrickfergus BT38 7DN.