Parents’ association raises over €7,000 for St Kilian’s schools

THERE was a generous helping of Christmas cheer in the St Kilian’s community last week, as their annual Christmas fair raised over €7,000 for St Kilian’s junior and senior schools.

The fundraising event for the Kingswood schools was organised by the St Kilian’s Parents’ Association and was held in St Kilian’s Junior School’s hall last Friday.

There were 15 stalls at the event, including a hook-a-duck stall and a DIY Christmas ornament stall, with the aim of creating a retro Christmas fair for the parents, guardians and children to enjoy.

“It was a wonderful day,” Catríona Rodgers, the chairperson of St Kilian’s Parents’ Association, told The Echo.

“It was great that so many people came out and supported us. There must’ve been over 400 children there.”

Other features of the fair included a second-hand toy stall, with items donated by parents, a visit from Santa, and a raffle which saw a number of parents win some festive hampers.

There was a celebratory atmosphere at the fair, as it’s the first time it has been back in the school since the pandemic started in 2020.

“It was wonderful to see everything up and running again after Covid,” said Ms Rodgers.

“Our priority for this year, in the parents’ association, is to create fun experiences for the children.

“Every euro we raised on Friday will go back directly into the schools and will be put towards things that they really need. We’re so grateful to the parents and guardians for supporting us.

“We’re already looking forward to next year, there’s lots of things for us to build on.”

All of the money raised from the sleigh ride will go to St Kilian’s.