A record number of people in Kilkenny applied for assistance from the Mayor’s Coal Fund over the Christmas period.
More than 470 citizens requested assistance from the fund in December. Speaking at this week’s meeting of Kilkenny Borough Council, Mayor David Fitzgerald told the members that a record number of bags of coal and fuel supplies had been given out in December.
“It is wonderful that the funds were available, but it is a sign of the difficult times that we are facing,” he said.
“I want to publicly acknowledge the importance of the Mayor’s Coal Fund, and those who donated. I also want to acknowledge the considerable work of the St Vincent de Paul, to thank its members for their hard work, and to wish them well for the New Year.”
The Mayor also commended the Defence Forces for its contribution, which saw Lt Col Paddy Flynn and members of the Third Infantry Battalion raise €3,000 for the fund. The Gala Christmas concert, which took place in early December, also raised almost €5,000.
The Mayor’s Coal Fund entered its 29th year this Christmas. The money goes toward fuel and food vouchers for some of Kilkenny’s neediest citizens during the winter period.
