Appy Christmas to one and all this festive season in Cork

Organisers of Cork city’s annual Rotary Tree of Remembrance have launched a new app which enables people to remember their loved ones at Christmas time.

The app allows users to contribute to local charities safely via their mobile phone. Once a dedication is received, volunteers from the Rotary Club of Cork and the Rotary Club of Bishopstown will copy it onto a yellow ribbon and physically place it on the giant Christmas tree on Patrick’s Street.

The new app was launched together with the official opening of the Rotary Tree of Remembrance 2021 by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin over the weekend.

As per tradition, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Colm Kelleher was also in attendance and placed the first ribbon on the tree.

Although volunteers will be present to accept dedications in person until lunch time on Christmas Eve, the app will allow users to donate right through December and into January.

This year, 50 per cent of the funds raised will go to Marymount University Hospital and Hospice while the other 50 per cent will be divided between the Cope Foundation, FOCUS Ireland, SHINE Centre for Autism and other Rotary charities.

Jack Cahill, Chairman of the Cork Rotary Tree of Remembrance, said that while Covid has presented a real challenge to the project, technology has been of huge benefit in overcoming obstacles and opening doors to new possibilities.

He said: “Pre-Covid, people generally made a contribution to our local charities and then wrote their dedication on a yellow ribbon which was then placed on the tree. Covid obviously has changed all that and that’s why, following a trial last year, we’ve now launched this dedicated and user-friendly app. The app also enables us to communicate with donors and to provide updates and information on the beneficiaries.”

Rotarian Tom Woodward, who founded the Remembrance Tree in 2002, added: “This is the 19th year of the Remembrance Tree and we’re really delighted to see it continue to be a focal point of Christmas in Cork. Charities are struggling due to the impact of Covid-19 so we really see it as a symbol of hope and gratitude.”

In mid-January, all of the ribbons will be brought to Holy Trinity Church on Fr Matthew Quay where they will be blessed at an ecumenical service.

The free app is available to download by searching 'The Rotary Tree of Remembrance' in the app store.