Christmas spirit is alive and well with charity display set for the switch-on

Tom Giblin, a kind-hearted Letterkenny man, has established a Christmas fundraiser, which will benefit 16 various charities.

The event - the second in a row - will showcase a live animal Nativity and Christmas light display and will run from Sunday, December 10 to January 6. 

The Live Animal Nativity Stable includes mini pigs, a mini donkey with its precious foal, a mini pony, a selection of mini goats, a handful of hens, a proud rooster and two bustling bee colonies nearby. Everyone is welcome to attend and witness this heartwarming gathering of animals. There are also garmented full life-sized Nativity figures on display at the Nativity stable.

          A section of the Live Animal Nativity Stable

The Christmas Lights Themed Garden contains a Nativity scene, Santa scene, snow scene, arctic scene and teddy bear scene. Santa's sleek sleigh sits poised, adorned with twinkling lights, its runners glistening with anticipation for the enchanting journey ahead, ready to whisk Santa Claus through the starry night skies. Santa's postbox stands proudly, ready to receive heartfelt wishes and letters from children, promising holiday magic and dreams fulfilled.

The event is set to begin this Sunday at Lisnennan, Letterkenny, F92 C195. On the opening day at 4:15pm, there will be the Opening and Blessing of the stables. At 4:30pm the Christmas lights-themed gardens will be switched on. At 4:50pm Santa will arrive on the magical Rudolph Express Sleigh.

The display will be open from 9:30am to 10:30pm daily with the light switch on at 4:45pm. This event will run until Saturday, January 6 and at 10:30 pm the closing of the stable and gardens will take place.

“With a lot of organisations within the local community and Nationally that deserve support, it was an easy decision for me to fundraise and to create awareness for different charities,” Tom Giblin shared.

“As one who relishes a good challenge, has a love for miniature farm animals, enjoys the Christmas spirit and with a good sprinkling of energy thrown in - bringing the whole lot together and at the same time helping out those who are a lot less fortunate than myself.

“Fundraising can bring people together in a fun-filled sociable way - hence the reason for so many charities. 

“Charities depend on voluntary donations and could not fund their way without the time and generosity of volunteers - So why not me?

“Fundraising for different causes is a great way to create awareness - I know of friends of mine who are individually getting a little source of comfort from all of my chosen charities.

“Helping others make a difference and raising funds for good causes gives me a real boost and sense of fulfilment - what a real feel-good inner feeling.”

The 16 charities supported by the event are:

St Vincent De Paul Letterkenny; Childrens Hospital Crumlin/Temple Street; Peita House North West; Jack & Jill Foundation; Little Blue Heroes; Irish Wheelchair Association; Bumbleance Donegal; MS Ireland / Donegal; Little Angels School; St Bernadettes Special School; Donegal Hospice; Donegal Down Syndrome; Blue Stack Special Needs Foundation; Blood Bikes North West; Donegal Donkey Sanctuary and Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Tom previously hosted this event last year in aid of 16 charities and raised over €2,000 in the process. The event is available for anyone to attend and contribute to during the Christmas season and donation boxes will be available at the event site for in-person donations

Even if you are unable to make the event but would like to donate to a worthy cause, you can donate online via iDonate or Revolut Tom: 086 068 6968