Cork hotel’s special tree to help SVP give kids a magical Christmas

The Cork International Hotel has launched its annual Giving Tree in aid of St Vincent de Paul (SVP).

The Giving Tree, which helps to support families struggling with the financial burden of the festive period, is a collaboration with SVP to ensure that less-fortunate children from around Cork will receive a gift this Christmas.

The lights of the tree, which is in the lobby of the Cork International Hotel, were switched on recently at a special ceremony which included the choir of Scoil Mhuire Na nGrást National School Belgooly, local councillors, and Santa.

The hotel’s general manager Eoghan Murphy said this is a “very special initiative for the entire team at the Cork International Hotel and it is great to see the Giving Tree back in the hotel lobby”.

He added: “The Giving Tree is an annual celebration that we first set up in 2012, and it is always a pleasure to work with the team at St Vincent de Paul.

“It is especially nice to help put a smile on the faces of children around the festive season.

“We would also ask any guests staying at the hotel over the next few days or weeks to please get involved and help to make a child’s Christmas.”

The charity has provided tags for the tree which detail the names and ages of 100 children who are in need of a gift this Christmas. Guests and staff at the hotel can then choose any tag and buy an age-appropriate gift for the child, including toys, pyjamas, and clothes.

The gifts will be returned to SVP unwrapped, with the tag attached, so that its team can help deliver the gifts directly to the parents.