This Friday, December 11th, the Rotary Club of Waterford launches its 18th annual Memorial Christmas Tree at 12 noon at John Robert’s Square in Waterford City.
The Memorial Tree Appeal, officially launched by His Worship the Mayor of Waterford Cllr. John Cummins will, as always, be a central feature in Waterford City’s Winterval Festival.
Nora Widger, President of the Rotary Club of Waterford said, “For 18 years the Rotary Club of Waterford Memorial Christmas Tree has been central to Christmas in Waterford. Most of us have been touched by the wonderful work Waterford Hospice does in our community. This year in particular Rotary in Waterford wishes to remind the public of the importance of Christmas as a time to remember those who we have lost and cherish those who we still have in our lives.”
In 1998 the first Christmas Memorial Tree appeal was established by the Rotary Club of Waterford to help raise funds for the development of a 20 bed Regional Palliative Care Unit on the grounds of University Hospital Waterford To date the initiative has raised nearly half a million Euro for Waterford Hospice.
As well as raising much needed funds in Waterford for the Hospice Movement, the Memorial Tree Appeal provides people with a means of remembering their loved ones in a dignified and meaningful manner. Indeed over the years the Christmas Memorial Tree Appeal has become synonymous with the celebration of Christmas in Waterford and enjoys widespread support from the public.