Festive Fun Days ahead!

THE festive season got off a sparkling start in Stillorgan last week as the Radisson Blu, St Helen's Hotel staged their Annual Christmas Lights Event.

As the Southside suburb gets ready for Christmas, the hotel hosted the turning on of the lights with carol singing from the Sion Hill Choir, mulled wine/hot chocolate, a visit from Santa and a cheque presentation to chosen charity, Pieta House.

A representative from Pieta House and Dublin GAA Player Shane Carthy attend the evening that was enjoyed by all.

Meanwhile, the fun continues this weekend as the Tesco Superstore in Stillorgan Shopping Centre will be hosting Festive Fun Days on December 6 and 7 in aid of Temple Street Children’s University Hospital.

Tesco Ireland is calling on Southsiders to join the festive fun to help raise vital funds for sick children this Christmas.

Tescos across the Southside will be hosting drop in-stores on both days where you can join Tesco colleagues for a series of ‘Festive Fun Days’ in aid of their charity partner

Seasonal cheer is set to top the shopping list as customers are treated to a selection of festive fun including a Christmassy cake sale, fun face painters, limited edition festive floral bouquets and Jingles the Penguin soft toys, all in aid of raising much needed funds.

Hosted by Tesco colleagues across South Dublin, this year’s series of ‘Festive Fun Days’ aim to raise €150,000 for the little heroes of Temple Street.

All vital funds raised will go towards purchasing an advanced Retinal Camera for the Theatre ward, needed for Temple Street to ensure that each child receives the best care possible. Using this new equipment, an Ophthalmologist can ensure timely intervention, which can prevent loss of sight and in the case of Retinal cancer can cure many cases.

Geraldine Casey, Director, Tesco Ireland said: “Due to the incredible support received from Tesco customers last year, we are delighted to announce the return of our ‘Festive Fun Days’ across our 151 stores nationwide.

“Last year was a great success in terms of generosity and community spirit, with Temple Street proving to have a special place in everyone’s heart.

“We are so happy to be able to bring our colleagues and customers together to help the little heroes of Temple Street at this special time of the year. We encourage everyone to drop in store to embrace the joy of Christmas and get involved in this year’s festive fun!”

Denise Fitzgerald, CEO of the Temple Street Foundation, added: “On behalf of us all here in Temple Street, we would like to thank the Tesco staff and customers for their on-going support and kindness towards our little patients and their families.

“Their goodwill and generosity continues to be incredibly uplifting and has brought long lasting difference to the lives of sick children and their families in our hospital. We are tremendously grateful to everyone involved in the fundraising initiatives this Christmas season, which will allow us to continue to help make Temple Street as magical as possible for our little patients over the festive period and into the future.”

Tesco customers and colleagues will also be able to support the little heroes of Temple Street by purchasing limited edition festive floral bouquets and children’s favourite, Jingles the Penguin soft toys (pictured left) with funds from each sale going directly to Temple Street.

You can give your host the perfect gift this festive season with Tesco’s Christmas themed floral bouquet in aid of Temple Street.

The beautiful bouquet is an ideal gift for your host this festive season and contains a combination of happy pink mini gerbera, with a mix of purple, pink and white chrysanthemums with some beautiful touches of frosted pine-cones, decorative scented cinnamon sticks and glittered foliage. These bouquets are available in stores nationwide priced at €10 and a donation of €1 per bouquet sold will be made to Temple Street.

This year, customers will be given the chance to share in the magic of Christmas with the loveable toy penguin – Jingles

Jingles was named by one of Temple Street’s little heroes, Alex, and will be available to purchase for €5 in-stores nationwide from November 30.

, while stocks last. Funds from the sales of this limited-edition plush toy will be donated directly to Temple Street. Available while stocks last – when he’s gone, he’s gone!

Why give one present when you can give two? This year as a Little Help, Tesco has created an elegant hamper box for customers to build their own Christmas hamper to suit all tastes and budgets. Choose from our hero list of festive favourites such as mince pies, cheese, prosecco and chocolates, or build your own from our full range of products online at Tesco.ie. Tesco will deliver your chosen products direct to your door, along with a festive hamper box and straw; everything you need to create a personalised festive hamper gift. Customers can select to add the hamper box to their online order for a cost of €2 and Tesco will then donate that €2 to Temple Street. Hamper boxes are available to order online at Tesco.ie from 2nd December until 17th December and are available while stocks last. Products are subject to availability.

Each year Temple Street treats over 150,000 children from across the country and for thousands of children, Temple Street is the only hospital in Ireland in which they can be treated. Temple Street has been Tesco Ireland’s charity partner since October 2014 and to-date Tesco Ireland has raised €4.7 million in aid of the little heroes of Temple Street.