A VITAL Tralee service received a €1,000 pre-Christmas gift thanks to the Movement for Good Awards.

For the fifth consecutive year, Ecclesiastical Insurance and the Benefact Group have committed to giving away over €1 million to charitable causes through the Movement for Good Awards.

This initiative invited members of the public to nominate the causes closest to their hearts, culminating today with the winners of the annual 12 Days of Giving Christmas campaign.

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Tralee Meal on Wheels, an organisation which provides a two course meal, freshly cooked and delivered to those in need, 52 weeks of the year, was one of the organisations nationwide to receive a €1,000 award.

Paddy Kevane of Tralee Meals on Wheels said: “We used the €1,000 towards the food cost of our free Christmas Day dinners. We made over 600 of them; 300 were delivered as meals on wheels, and the remaining distributed at the Centre.”

The 12 Days of Christmas is a part of Benefact Group and Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland’s Movement for Good campaign which has contributed to various charity sectors with special draws including animal, education, youth charities and many more.

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MEALS on Wheels Tralee is looking for three specific volunteers to help out with their Christmas Day dinner this year, as well as donations to their gofundme page to help put on the event.

Meals on Wheels Tralee moved to the Tralee Community Development Project building in Upper Rock Street (Eircode V92 WR9P) recently and is preparing to open a public cafe there shortly which will help subsidise the service going forward.

There was a great response to the call for volunteers on the day, but there are three important roles that need to be filled — a musician, a videographer/photographer and Santa Claus himself.

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Anyone interested in volunteering for these roles can contact Lisa on 087 6349074 or 066 7117966 or via email at lisa@volunteerkerry.ie

Vice-Chairman of Meals On Wheels Tralee, Paddy Kevane, said the plan is to have the three course traditional Christmas dinner in two rooms in the new building, with live music and a fun atmosphere. The day is open to all who want to attend.

They will also be delivering free Christmas Day dinners to older people, those with disabilities and others on Christmas Day.

Paddy Kevane said Kerry Group has been very generous contributing €2,500 towards the cost of Christmas dinner.

Paddy had a special mention for Terry’s Butchers who have been instrumental in keeping the service going, cooking the meals while the kitchen in the new premises gets up to speed. There is a gofundme page set up towards costs which can be accessed by clicking here.

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