THE family of the late Christy Gallagher are aiming to finish their Christmas charity fund raising campaign on a high on Thursday December 22nd by filling Guildhall Square with over 1,000 of Santa’s ‘little helpers’.
Christy passed away after contracting Malaria while on holiday in Thailand ten years ago and his parents Martin and Mary have honoured his memory by collecting money in the run up to Christmas for their chosen charities outside the Guildhall since 2010.
This year they have set an ambitious target of raising over £10,000 for Children in Crossfire.
To help that bid, on the final day of their Santa collection, a ‘Super Fundraiser’ event will take place at 1pm where local people are invited to congregate in Guildhall Square in Christmas hats and hand over a minimum of £10 raised for the appeal.
Looking ahead to the final day of the campaign which began on November 17th, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, encouraged local people to enter the spirit of giving this Christmas by supporting the appeal.
“The Gallagher family have braved the elements outside the Guildhall to raise thousands upon thousands of pounds for charities for the last seven years,” she said.
“The money raised this year will go a long way towards providing better Health Care provisions for young people in three areas of need in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Gambia.
“I’d urge as many people as possible to get involved in fund raising in shops, schools, cafes and any other public places and come along at 1pm on Saturday December 22nd to deposit the money in the bin at the entrance to the Guildhall.
“To see hundreds of people, dressed in festive head gear, handing over their fund raising efforts would be a genuinely uplifting sight and will help spread the spirit of generosity and hope this Christmas.”
The money raised in this year’s appeal will help fund the nurse training, stocking of clinics and the installation of clean water in the three target projects in Tanzania, Ethopia and Gambia.
The Gallagher family would like to thank the Mayor for her donation of a Christmas tree and sweets for children to help this year’s appeal.
They would also like to express their gratitude to the staff at the Guildhall for their support to Santa as well as Richard Moore and the team at Children in Crossfire.
Anyone who can’t make it to Guildhall Square can donate to the charity by texting SBFA68 to 70070.
