There has been a huge response in the south Mayo/north Galway region to a special appeal issued by Santa Claus, in advance of next Sunday evening’s Christmas lights switch-on in Ballinrobe.
In a landmark communiqué to people of the area last week, Santa Claus asked children to give a present to children in orphanages in eastern Europe. “I want children to light up a life this Christmas,” said Santa, in a phonecall to Martin Murphy of Ballinrobe Christmas Lights Committee, “and the best way they can do this is to bring along a present to the lights switch-on.
“We will collect all these presents and get my good friend Tony Walkin Snr to bring the gifts out to orphanages in eastern Europe.”
The switch-on takes place at 6pm on Sunday November 30, at Abbey Street, Ballinrobe. “Children have really rallied around Santa Claus on this one, and we understand there will be a huge gathering and a great collection of presents for the children in eastern Europe,” said Mr Murphy.
“This is why we have made the request public. We are calling it Santa’s Light Up A Life appeal. We want children to know that they should bring along the old toy on the evening of November 30. We have assured Santa Claus that we will have collection points in place, and we hope to collect a fine array of toys for the children in the orphanages.”
Last year over 1,000 people turned up to help Santa Claus switch on the Christmas lights.
