This December, join the Muldowney family from Cobh and the Carey family from Youghal, who over the last number of Christmasses have raised over €30,000 for The Mercy Cancer Appeal by inviting the public to make a donation and enjoy the spectacular light shows they put on over the holiday season.

The Muldowney Christmas Light Show in Cobh will run from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th, and Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th December at 7.30pm at 94 Norwood Park in Cobh. This is the last year of the Muldowney’s Light Show and it will see them add to the €19,250 raised since they started lighting up for Christmas in 2012. This Christmas sees the return of their singing Christmas faces, as well as old favourites like the Frozen medley and a handful of new songs, with free candy canes for all the children who go along. If you can’t make the actual light show there is still the opportunity to see the house lit up from 5pm to 9pm daily from December 12th to 24th.

Decorated in memory of their beloved daughter and sister Aileen, the light show is free of charge, but people are invited to donate with all proceeds raised going to the Mercy Oncology Unit & Chaplaincy. Speaking about the Christmas Lights Appeal, Aileen’s sister, Moya Muldowney said “The interest in our Christmas light show since 2012 has been unbelievable and we were so grateful to those families who came out and supported such a worthy cause through their generous donations over the years – real people making a real difference. You never know when cancer may come to your door and you may need the care and support that is available at The Mercy Hospital.”

Pat and Margaret Carey’s Christmas Lights Show in Youghal kicks off on Saturday, December 3rd, and will run from 6pm – 9pm every night until Women’s Little Christmas on January 6th at 25 Blackwater Heights, Youghal. The opening night will see a musical performance from the Holy Family Choir, with festivities kicking off at 6pm. There will also be a raffle in aid of the Mercy Hospital – first prize is a hamper sponsored by Lidl Youghal, second prize is turkey and ham from Supervalu Youghal, third prize is a Harrington’s voucher, and fourth prize is a Christmas Crib sponsored by St Joseph’s of Youghal. Visitors to the Carey home in Youghal can expect lots of Christmas cheers, tasty treats and musical performances throughout the holiday season, supported by the local business community.

Supporting the Carey’s fundraising initiative, on Friday, December 9th Brú na Sí Cultural Centre will hold a wonderful night of music, singing, dancing and refreshments, and tickets are €10 each.

Organiser Pat Carey said “I was an oncology patient at The Mercy University Hospital and decided that lighting my house at Christmas was a way to give something back and thank the staff who gave me care that was second to none. I would encourage anyone who lights up their home at Christmas, and hasn’t done so for a charity before, to bear the Mercy in mind and consider the real difference their support could make to lives.”

Deirdre Finn, Community & Events Fundraiser, Mercy Hospital Foundation said “If you have a spectacular Christmas Light display on your house we invite you to take a collection box and invite the people who come to see your lights to help raise funds for our Cancer Appeal.”

She continued “Our mission is to inspire people to support advancements in research, diagnosis, treatments and care of patients at The Mercy University Hospital, the People’s Hospital. We promise to do our very best to provide you with a world class hospital, right on your doorstep, and this is only possible through the help of our supporters and donors, through the help of our supporters and donors, like the Muldowney and Carey families, and supporters from all over Cork who join us for our annual Christmas Lights Appeal.”

If you would like to find out more about putting on or fundraising through a Christmas light display in aid of the Mercy Hospital Foundation, please contact Deirdre Finn on (021) 4274076. Further information on The Mercy Cancer Appeal is available on www.mercyfundraising.ie.