Lack of money for Laois town's traditional Christmas tree

Poor levels of donations have put a beloved Laois Christmas tree at risk of not going up this year.

Portarlington's tall Christmas tree in Market Square will be 31 years old, but as of the start of November, there was only €400 in the kitty for Christmas.

The committee sy this is not enough even to pay for insurance, not to mention electricity bills.

They put out an urgent plea on social media on the first weekend of November.

"We really need your help, with only weeks before the Christmas Tree goes up. So far we only have received €400 this does not even cover the cost of the insurance for the tree and scenes to go ahead.

"We need funds to cover the costs without this we will not have a tree in our town we need your donations without this it is not possible," they said.

They say they are too few in number to go door to door in the big town for collections,the previous method of fundraising for the tree.

"Being a voluntary group with also working full time jobs and family, its just not possible to get around town with 6 committee members. As always we welcome new members then this might be possible," they said.

Committee member Brian Donagher created the Gofundme page.

"We are fundraising for our towns Christmas tree 2023 we need your support, without this it is not possible please keep Portarlington traditions alive. Please donate. We need our communities help,"  he said.

Support has blossomed since the plea made on Friday, November 3.

Within three days, their Gofundme total went from €400 to €1,125 but the target to reach is still far off at €4,000.

The committee have collection buckets in Brian Whelans Electrical shop Main Street and in Eddie's Hotpot.

Proprietor Eddie Broughan urged support.

"Without you guys there would be no Christmas tree. Your hard work and dedication has kept the tradition of a Christmas tree in the market square for all the community over many years.

"Portarlington has lost the French Festival and also the St Patrick’s day parade. I can only hope that the people of the town really support the Christmas tree. We just can’t lose it as well. So come on Portarlington let’s get behind this fantastic group of people and show our support," he said.

See the Gofundme to donate here.