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THE people of Killarney have thrown their weight behind the dedicated work carried out by depression support charity Aware.
Two local ladies were behind key fundraisers at the end of the year that generated cash that will be put to good use by the charity locally.
The now-annual Christmas Day dip at Dundag, organised by Niki McCarthy, Tiernaboul, raised an impressive €5,431 for Aware this year.
Meanwhile, a new event, a special Christmas concert, was the brainchild of local singer and singing teacher Grace Foley.
Grace co-ordinated the concert along with Paul O’Raw in the Church of the Resurrection and it raised
€785.
.“Christmas can be such a magical, happy time of year, but it can also be a very difficult time for some people. I was aware of the fact that some people feel quite low and alone at Christmas and all the festivities and celebrations can be very overwhelming,” said Grace.
“I am already brainstorming for this year's concert and I hope even more people will come along and not only experience something quite unique, but also support a very good cause. Aware is a very important charity. We all have either experienced low times in life, or know someone who has, so the support that Aware provides is invaluable.”
Thanking all involved in the fundraisers, Dolores Gallagher, Aware’s Kerry co-ordinator, said: “Aware support groups support people who are impacted by Depression, anxiety and other mood related disorders.”
Meetings in Kerry are held in Killarney on Mondays in the local Kerry Diocesan Youth Service centre at 8pm and in Tralee on Tuesdays, at the rear of St John’s Church at 8pm.
Aware Support Groups are free to attend, no referral necessary. www.aware.ie
 

 
Fr Niall Howard, Grace Foley, Paul O'Raw, Dolores Gallagher, Aware, and Mary Foley.