All Saints coffee mornings raise €26,000 for charity
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Canon Alastair Graham making a donation raised through the All Saints coffee morning to Nollaig Coffey of the Mental Health Association, Mullingar, watched by, on left, Arthur O’Toole, who bakes extensively every week for the coffee morning; Julia Smyth of the Mental Health Association, Mullingar, Marion O’Toole of the All Saints coffee morning and Finola Colgan, Mental Health Association, Mullingar. John Mc CauleyImage 2 of 2
Making a donation of funds raised through the weekly All Saints coffee morning to Mary Ward, centre, and Helen Ginty, fourth from left, of St Brigid’s School, Rev Alastair Graham, watched by the coffee morning organisers, Arthur and Marion O’Toole. John Mc CauleyOn Wednesday morning, the oven goes on in the home of Arthur and Marion O’Toole; Arthur rolls his sleeves up, and Marion beats a retreat.
And that’s when the magic starts.
“He bakes everything – bracks, scones, apple tarts; he makes cheesecakes – different flavours every week,” says Marion of her husband, whose background is actually far removed from baking: he is a retired transport manager with Calor Gas.
The two are the drivers behind the hugely popular Thursday coffee mornings hosted at the hall at Mullingar’s All Saints Church.
Since 2016, the coffee mornings have raised €26,000 for charity.
“People leave donations, and each month’s donations go to different charities,” says Marion, who reveals that one Thursday recently, they had 84 people enjoying cups of tea or coffee and Arthur’s confections.
December’s donations were for the Meals on Wheels charity; January’s have been earmarked for the hospice movement.
The coffee mornings kick off at 10.30am, and they are open to everyone.