Unseasonal appeal for Newcastle West Christmas lights fund

A photograph of last year's Christmas lights at the Square, Newcastle West
NORMA PRENDIVILLE normap@limerickleader.ie
AN appeal has gone out to traders and business people in Newcastle West to contribute towards the cost of Christmas lights in the town.
Despite getting donations from 60% of the businesses in the town, there remains a shortfall of €16,000.
Now, Seamus Hunt, chairman of the Newcastle West Business Association has asked the other 40% of businesses to make a contribution.
Last Christmas, the Business Association and the Chamber of Commerce teamed up to buy new Christmas lights for the town at a cost of €150,000 over three years.
The joint committee received €20,000 from Limerick City and County Council and raised just over €11,000 but this left a shortfall of €16,000. Now, Mr Hunt has warned, this could put next Christmas’ lights display at risk as they might have to scale down the display.
“We put a big effort in last year to get support for a new and exciting lights display for our town. This display put Newcastle West firmly on the map again around Christmas time and brought a lot of excitement to families and young kids,” he said.
There are ambitious fund-raising plans for the autumn which include a golf classic. But the committee is now struggling to come up with the €2000 a month it has agreed to pay the company over the next four months.
“We are asking sincerely that if you have not donated to date, could you please consider making a donation to help support this fund for the good of the town in general,” Mr Hunt said. “We are making one last push to see if we can do this.”
must honour its €2000 a
We are however still short over €16000 to date towards our collection goal. Approximately only 60% of businesses have contributed to this appeal to date.
If we don’t reach our goal, unfortunately we will have to re-evaluate our plans for Christmas lights and this is something that we don’t want to do.
We are asking sincerely that if you have not donated to date, could you please consider making a donation to help support this fund for the good of the town in general? We are making one last push to see if we can do this in May.
Businesses on average have donated between €50 and €150.00 with some contributing €500 / €1000. Any contribution is greatly received and appreciated and will be acknowledged.
Please see payment options and details below
For cheques:
Please make payment out to Newcastle West Business Association if paying by cheque and post to any of the following:
Mary Lee (Solicitor at CJ Noonan’s Bishop St) or
Tony Hayes (The Square) or
Seamus Hunt (C/o Huntoffice.ie, Newcastle West)
For Bank Transfers online:
Sort code 90-43-76 account number 40758000 BOI NCW
IBAN IE51 BOFI 9043 7640 7580 00 BIC BOFIIE2D
Drop off points
We also have drop off points at the following shops if it’s easier for you.
Laurie Kelleher’s Bridge Street
Tony Hayes the Square
The Home office Shop Church Street.
Kind regards,
Seamus Hunt
xx
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John
O'Shaughnessy
16:04, 29 May 2016
Christmas Lights a waste of money when there is insifficient money available to pay for them. Newcastle West should learn to live within its means - and show good example to us 'lesser mortals.'
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