Remembrance Tree ribbons and donations go live December 8th

Members of North Westmeath Hospice and Mullingar Rotary Club were on site today at the Remembrance Tree on Mullingar's Dominic Square.

They were setting up a new and specially designed hut which will allow people to remember loved ones with ribbons, and to make a donation to both organisations if they so wish.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Veronica Larkin of North Westmeath Hospice spoke of how it was "a disastrous year for fundraising".

"But apart from the funds, the Remembrance Tree has been a tradition in Mullingar going down throughout the years for families, and while we've had to put strict protocols in place, we will be operating from December 8."

"All Covid rules and regulations will be observed and followed," she adds, explaining that there will be three sanitising stations in place, designated entry and exit points, and a supply of anti-bacterial pens.

"We'll have lines marked out where people can queue up. They can write their loved one's name on a ribbon, and put it into a box which will be sealed for three days to comply with Covid regulations. After the three days we'll hang it up on the tree," Veronica explains.

A card machine will be in place for people who wish to make a donation by card, while a donation bucket will also be in place.

For those who wish to donate online, simply go to idonate.ie where there will be pages for North Westmeath Hospice and Mullingar Rotary Club.

"In the New Year, the ribbons will be distributed around the places of worship in the parish to be offered up," continues Veronica.

Both North Westmeath Hospice and Mullingar Rotary Club would like to thank sponsors: Vambeck Signs, Oliver Foley in Canore, Fagan's Office Supplies, Dermot Kilmurray and Donal Coade Sanitising, Eddie and Mark Keegan, and Kevin Lyons.

Volunteers

Veronica says they are also looking for volunteers to help man the tree.

"Because the vulnerable volunteers with the Hospice and the Rotary Club cannot man the tree this year, we're badly in need of volunteers and so we're looking for anyone who can donate an hour or two of their time to get in touch."

If you would like to give an our or two of your time to two very worth organisations, can call Sophie Eastman, North Westmeath Hospice administrator, on 085 7863891.