Charities honour late Oliver Fay at 2023 fundraiser

This year Mullingar Rotary Club and North Westmeath Hospice especially remember the late Oliver Fay at the annual Tree of Remembrance on Dominick Square, Mullingar.

The tree officially opened today Friday December 8, and it remains open tomorrow Saturday 9; after that, members of Mullingar Rotary Club and the North Westmeath Hospice CLG will be in attendance at the familiar white hut beside the tree from Friday December 15 to Sunday December 24.

Each year, members of the public are invited to place yellow ribbons on the tree to represent the precious memories of loved ones who have passed.

This event, now in its 15th year, is a major fundraiser for both the North Westmeath Hospice and The Rotary Club, to help with their work for the local hospice and for local charities.

The late Oliver Fay who passed away in October, was a member of the Rotary Club for many years and was also one of the stalwarts at the Remembrance Tree each year.

Oliver took charge of caring for the hut during the year and having it installed at Dominick Square for the Christmas period.

As a mark of his dedication to this cause, his wife Mary was present to place the first ribbon of 2023 on the tree, in memory of Oliver.

Roger Nicholson, Mullingar Rotary Club president, said that the funds raised will go towards local charities, and Margaret Claffey, chairperson of the North Westmeath Hospice, said their share of the funds will be donated locally to the Hospice Specialist Palliative Service.

At the tree, people can make donations by cash or card.

A Remembrance Mass and Service will be offered in local places of worship for all names on the ribbons, and times and dates of those will be on display at the hut.

Mr Nicholson and Ms Claffey said: “We invite all members of the local community to visit the tree and share memories of your loved ones. The Mullingar Rotary Club and the North Westmeath Hospice CLG, would like to wish everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas and new year.”