Kilkenny Lions Club launches Spirit of Christmas Hamper Appeal with Brian Cody
Lions President Pat Cahill said it was a privilege to launch this year’s 2026 Spirit of Christmas Hamper Appeal
The Lions’ Spirit of Christmas Hamper Appeal was launched last week in the Newpark Hotel by Cathaoirleach Joe Malone, Lions President Pat Cahill and special guest Brian Cody.
George Candler was MC for the launch. Cathaoirleach Joe Malone thanked the Lions for the significant amount of money they have allocated over the years to so many local organisations in County Kilkenny. He highlighted the many organisations that have benefited from Kilkenny Lions Club funding.
He extended a massive thank you to the Lions Club for their incredible work especially in supporting those in need. The Christmas season is a time of giving and he urged everyone to support this wonderful cause and annual tradition.
Lions President Pat Cahill said it was a privilege to launch this year’s 2026 Spirit of Christmas Hamper Appeal, and he is delighted that it is again being undertaken in partnership with KCLR and the Kilkenny People.
He added that the Spirit of Christmas builds on the success of the annual hamper appeal which has been run by Kilkenny Lions Club for the past 34 years. This and other events, since 2002, have raised over €1,000,000 for local organisations.
All of the money collected is distributed to the charities as no administration or other costs are incurred. The proceeds have gone to assist many local organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul Society, Kilkenny Social Services, Church of Ireland, Good Shepherd Centre, Amber Women’s Refuge Centre and many other organisations throughout the City and County of Kilkenny. In total, Kilkenny Lions have supported well over 100 local community organisations over that period.
The primary fundraising is through the auction and sale of goods or services donated by local businesses. The appeal is divided into two sections, a Farm Section and a General Section. The Kilkenny People publishes the General”and Farm Auction lists with names of over 200 businesses over a three-week period prior to and during the auction. The goods or services are then auctioned by KCLR96FM on air and it is hoped over €25,000 will be raised.
The farm auction will be on Thursday, November 26 and again on Thursday, December 3. The General auction will run from Tuesday, December 1 to Thursday, December 3 inclusive.
Kilkenny Lions would like to thank the many people who contribute unselfishly each year to making this a success –
- KCLR and Kilkenny People for their partnership over the years.
- Brian Cody for his unfailing support.
- The 200 or so local businesses including the farming community, without whose generosity, the auction could not happen.
- The people of Kilkenny who donate so generously
- Fellow members of the Lions Club who give hugely of their time each year.
Mr Cahill confirmed that the Schools Christmas Concert will take place on Thursday, December 10. The annual street collection will take place in mid December.
He concluded by thanking again everybody for their support of the Lions Christmas Appeal and is confident that it will be a tremendous success.
Brian Cody congratulated the Lions club for all their great work over the years, and he was delighted and privileged to have been asked again to launch the appeal with the Cathaoirleach and President of Kilkenny Lions Club. He said the Lions Club epitomised volunteering and are to be congratulated. He also referred to the generosity of the people of Kilkenny who are never found wanting to help the less well off. He thanked the business community, including the farming community, who donate a significant number of items every year for the auction.