Toys were distributed to children’s hospitals across Cork city today in an inter-agency collaboration led by Kinsale Lions Club, supported by the Gardaí, Fire Service, Coast Guard, National Ambulance Service, Civil Defence and defence forces. There was a spectacular parade of blue lights vehicles, with Santa Claus being led in an armoured car from One Brigade Calvery Squadron, accompanied by the Army Band-One Brigade Band from Collins Barracks, with classical singer Amanda Neri. The parade visited and spread joy in the three children’s hospitals to drop off gifts and spread some Christmas cheer in; Cork University Hospital, Mercy Hospital and South Infirmary. The appeal also supported Edel House and St. Mary’s Campus. It was the biggest and most spectacular event yet and brought joy to the health care teams in all hospitals.
 
This toy appeal has been running for a few years, but has seen phenomenal growth in donations and inter agency cooperation this year. Thanks to the huge generosity of the public, it has surpassed all expectations. There has been a steady flow of gifts dropped into the offices of Fitzgerald and Partners Accountants in Kinsale over the last month. The F & P team have worked with the volunteers of Kinsale Lions Club to prepare the appeal. Thanks to the Late Late Toy Show for their kind donations of toys once again this year.
 
Kinsale Lions Club recently held a huge fundraising event, Budget Breakfast Briefing, raising funds for the new paediatric unit at Cork University Hospital, and the toy appeal will see an extension of this collaboration and further efforts to support the children’s wards in the Cork hospitals providing such a centre of excellence and medical emergency care in the region.

Kinsale Lions Club, which is a voluntary charity, would like to extend thanks to everyone who has collaborated on this appeal which has surpassed all expectations.

Four month old Billy Moran from Cork was fascinated by Santa’s beard when he visited the childrens ward at the Mercy University Hospital as part of the Kinsale Lions Club Christmas Toy Appeal.
Picture. John Allen