Bochelli’s Give Thanks And Praise

Cheque mates

n a ridiculously rainy Christmas Day in Greystones, there was one place where the sun was shining bright…

And that was inside Bochelli’s, where the second annual Christmas Day Dinner for the homeless was in full swing.

And, boy, did it swing. With spirits high, bellies full and music pumping, the floor was hopping with shiny, happy and somewhat giddy people.

And it all started with a simple gesture by Bochelli’s head honcho, Declan McLoughlin, back in early December 2016. A big Christmas Day Dinner here in Greystones for those without a family home to go to.

It was an idea that brought the whole town together. So much so that this year’s dinner was bigger and better. Thanks largely to the fact that Declan put the call out for anyone who might like to help.

And that’s when Greystones showed its true colours.

The whole town seemed to get on board, with people volunteering to help on the day, others dropping by supplies for the day and presents for the 100-plus dinner guests, and others simply donating money.

Perhaps the most touching donation of help came from three young girls, Aisling, Laura and Olaya, who went door to door with their homemade Christmas logs to raise money. And just before the big day, they presented Declan with a cheque for €700. Incredible.

Today, two more cheques changed hands, as Emma Fox from AIB handed over €1,272 to the Christmas drive, and then the McLoughlin clan and all the gang at Bochelli’s presented local homeless haven WH Five Loaves with the tidy sum of €13,822, to be shared with that other fine local charity, Tiglin.

Bada-BEJIGGERS!

Declan also wanted to take the opportunity today to give a big shout-out to not only everyone who donated but also all those who helped on Christmas Day.

The crew on the day included, of course, Declan, Nuala, Jason, Aaron and Shayna McLoughlin, aided and abetted by Niamh and Sinead Kelly, Sierra, Makayla and Tehya Murphy, the wonderful Molly Taylor, the hard-grafting Darragh Stokes and Daragh Byrne, the ever-helpful Elaine Willis, along with Trish & Orla, the transport titans Manos, Sharron and Stefan & his driving crew, Christine, Kelly & Mammy 3Qs for their yummy desserts, Gerry Walsh for rolling up his sleeves, and rockin’ entertainers Austin Prior, Paul Kelly and Eamonn Clancy.

With offers of help for the big day arriving almost daily throughout December, Declan jokes that they could have filled Bochelli’s simply with wonderful volunteers – “so, next Christmas, we’ll be happy to have a whole new bunch of helpers on board.”

Declan wants to give his biggest thanks though, to the girls he refers to as The 3 Little Angels – namely, Aisling, Laura and Olaya – “who made a grown man cry when they arrived with the money they collected, and even the present of a Christmas log for me too.

“These incredible girls were just the perfect example of how this town pulls together to help others. All these wonderful people who donated gifts, money, time and skills to a truly fantastic day shows a real sense of community.

“God bless you all…”