By Michelle Crean

Pulling their most festive jumpers on resulted in over €16,000 being raised for the Kerry Hospice Foundation - which was handed over to the charity on Monday.

CERTS: Receiving certificates in recognition of raising over €16000 for the Kerry Hospice Foundation from Christmas Jumper Day organised by St Brendan's College in collaboration with many of othe local schools from l-r were: Anne Lucey (Holy Cross Mercy NS) Pat Doolan (Kerry Hospice Foundation) Sean Coffey (St Brendan's College) Conor Gleeson (Lissivigeen NS) Colm Ó Súilleabháin (St Oliver’s NS) Elaine Moynihan (St Brendan's College) Mary Brosnan (The Mon NS) Doireann O'Sullivan (St Brigid’s) Cathal Walshe (Kerry Hospice Foundation) Gerda Poetzsch (Killarney Community College) Elaine Spillane (St Francis Special School) and Dermot O'Reilly (Kerry Hospice Foundation). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

Students from St Brendan's College, St Oliver's National School, Killarney Community College, Presentation Monastery, Holy Cross Mercy, St Francis Special School, Lissivigeen National School and St Brigid's Presentation presented a cheque for €16,402 to the charity - the result of their combined 'Presents 4 Palliative' fundraiser in December.

This year was the third year the schools joined forces for this cause and while they initially set their goal at €10,000, the amount it costs to provide a week of the organisation's services, they quickly surpassed their goal. This donation brings the total donated from the combined efforts of these schools, over three years, to €30,000.

The Five LCVP class who coordinated the event in St Brendan's College were very grateful for the support they received and delighted to contribute to the relationship built up between themselves, the other schools and this incredible cause.

"Our LCVP class cannot thank the Killarney community enough for their support, both in words and donations," student Dara O'Shea.

"The hospice is an organisation that provides a crucial service for the local community and is one that has touched many of our own homes - to be able to give back to them is a real honour for myself and my classmates."

Aaron Coffey said that he feels "proud and honoured" to have taken part in this fundraiser.
"They do amazing work, giving people the gift of comfort and dignity in their final days and we were delighted to be able to raise so much for them."

Ryan McCarthy added that they "thoroughly enjoyed" organising the event and were "delighted with all the support" they got. "We are very proud to have exceeded our goal for a cause as special as the Kerry Hospice Foundation."

For TJ O'Sullivan he said they learned a lot about the hospice through this fundraiser and are delighted to have raised such a substantial amount.

"As students we are very proud of ourselves and the entire school community and incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by all who donated," student Mark Sheehan added.