Generous youngster carves out Christmas niche for good causes

TWO charities and a local community group are to get Christmas presents thanks to the efforts of a kind-hearted youngster.

Mark Ryan has once again teamed up with his friend and neighbour Jack Byrnes in O’Brien’s Bridge to create hand-made reindeer.

It’s the fifth year-in-a-row the pair have put their talent to good use, with the proceeds from the sale of the wooden pieces of art going to help river rescue group Killaloe Search and Recovery and homelessness charity Novas.

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On top of this, Jack said they are also helping a community group in nearby Montpelier, who are reviving the village’s church hall.

They are aiming to raise in excess of €1,000, with a mother, father and baby reindeer family costing €50 as a bundle.

Mammy reindeer by themselves cost €20, with mammies and babies in a set €30. A baby by themselves goes for €15.

Mark spends lots of his time at Jack’s house, since he’s a friend of the family, Jack child-minding him and his brother Sean, 14.

Jack said each of the past five years, Mark was offered the chance to keep some of the money for building the animals.

But on each occasion, the youngster turned this down.

Jack is very proud of young Mark

“He is doing excellent. He is now able to make the baby reindeer from the start to finish. I am so proud of him. Mark would come here on Wednesday after school and Friday after school,” added Jack, a former steelworker by profession.

Jack revealed that 12-year-old Mark wants to become a carpenter when he grows up.

But his talents aren’t confined to just the woodwork shed.

He is a gifted badminton player, winning an All-Ireland U13 title.

The youngster also pulled on the green jersey and represented Ireland at a tournament in Sweden earlier this year.

On top of that, he is also a skillful Gaelic Football player.

If you’d like to get your hands on a Christmas reindeer, and make a donation to a good cause, please telephone Jack Byrnes himself on 087-9225733.