Seamus' Christmas lights have raised €82,000 for cancer charity

A CHRISTMASSY house award win is good news for a local cancer charity.

For many years, Seamus Staunton from Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis, has adorned his home with special lighting during the Christmas season, with proceeds in recent years going to Cancer Care West.

Last Christmas, Energia Ireland ran a competition to choose the most Christmassy decorated home in the country and the Staunton home was short-listed in the final six, with Seamus later named national runner-up, receiving €2,000 in prizemoney which he has donated to Cancer Care West, together with the present year's takings.

A cheque for €8,400 for Christmas 2019 has been presented to the charity. To date, Seamus and his team have raised in excess of €82,000 in aid of cancer care - no mean achievement by any standards.

The proceeds are from donations received by all who visit or pass by the house each year. The lighting is switched on in early December and the house remains lit until January 6.

Initially, the beneficiary was Mayo Roscommon Hospice but in recent years Cancer Care West has benefitted.

The Christmas lights fundraiser began when Seamus, like countless people, experienced first hand what it is to lose relatives to cancer. He made a decision that something needed to be done to help other individuals and families faced with similar circumstances. And so, the Cloonfad winter wonderland was born.

At first there were only lights on the house but as the years have passed other projects and additions have been included. As well as the array of lights, Santa and Mrs Claus visit every year, and there's also a snow machine and fireworks, while celebrity entertainers and local traditional musicians and singers join Seamus and his family for the annual event. It has become a party where friends and neighbours and family meet to show their support.

Congratulations to Seamus and his family on this great acheivement.

 

* Pictured at the presentation of the cheque for €8,400 by Seamus Staunton at his home in favour of Cancer Care West were, at back, from left, Joe Hosty, Liam Quinn, Liam Brady, Kathy Finn, Rachel Staunton Keaveney, Daithi Gannon, Amanda Howard, Ann Burke, Rose Miskell, Ann Mulhall, William Lowry, Michael Gannon, Pat Kearney, Paddy Joe Tighe and Deirdre Quinn. At front: Nuala Brady, Maureen Regan, Seamus Staunton, David O'Donnell (Cancer Care West) and Kathleen Finn. Photo: James Hunt