1.
Members of the clergy ran the Black Santa fundraiser from the Church of Ireland and Catholic dioceses. They were supported by local musicians, including banjo player Emma Fitzgerald, Acoustic Reign and the Nenagh Ormond Brass Band. The Foodhall on Pearse Street provided tea and coffee for those taking part.
2.
The Black Santa appeal is an annual fundraiser. Each year two local charities are chosen; this year, Friends of Nenagh Hospital and the neonatal unit in Limerick.
3.
Dean of Killaloe Very Rev'd Roderick Smyth said that Friends of Nenagh Hospital is important to the community and the neonatal unit means something special to him. "The Friends of Nenagh Hospital is dear to everyone's heart in Nenagh, but I have to admit to being a wee bit selfish on the second appeal, which is the intensive care unit in the neonatal wing at the Limerick hospital. I have two grandchildren, both of whom were born very premature, so it's a charity that's close to my heart," said Very Rev'd Roderick Smyth Roderick.
4.
Chairman of Friends of Nenagh Hospital, Declan McGee, said the people of Nenagh have been very generous. "The people in this town have been extremely extremely generous. All our funding goes to good causes and goes to the hospital. We don't get any money out of it. In the last number of years, we have paid for a suite in the hospital. We have also helped contribute to the heart treatment until and we couldn't do any of it without the support we receive from the local community and further afield may I add," said Mr McGee.