Christmas cheer for charities from Light It Up Letterkenny Christmas Light Run

The Light It Up Letterkenny Christmas Light Run last month raised €3,500 for charity.

The Donegal Hospice and Blood Bikes Northwest each received a cool €1,750 following the event on December 17.

A decorated entry of almost 170 vehicles - 50 lorries, 50 cars and 70 tractors - took part in the third staging of the event, organised by CBM Signs.

Faced with a yellow weather warning that morning tough decisions had to be made early on the day but with prep nearly all done, most having good cabs and heaters it was decided to carry on with the event.

The route was changed on the advice of the Gardai to avoid the Pole Star traffic lights breaking up the convoy. Instead, participants went over Ballyraine where everyone then headed to the Mountain Top.

In other years there was a regroup at the Pine Hill Industrial Estate, but this time, because of the crowds of spectators already there waiting to watch the Christmas parade, this could not happen.

"The crowds reported and seen on some of the videos posted around Letterkenny were massive this year, some suggesting similar to a St. Patricks Day parade down the town which is brilliant,” CBM Signs owner Bernard Gallagher told Donegal Live.

Some of the organising team

“That was always the aim of this event it was created to give some Christmas cheer during the Covid Lockdowns. It is an added bonus that it is a charity fundraiser as well full of Christmas spirit."

Bernard said he only learned in 2023 of the great work and service Blood Bikes Northwest provide to people suffering illness, taking all kinds of medics and medical equipment all over the country on a daily basis with very little fuss but making a big difference to the patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked everyone who took the time and effort to decorate their cars, lorries and tractors and to everyone who donated on the night, An Garda Siochana and especially Mark Traynor on the bike for leading the convoy, neighbouring businesses on the Port Road and the Boal family of Pine Hill Industrial Estate.

Bernard added: “We are looking forward to Christmas 2024 already.”