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Drogheda Rotary has come up trumps again for four local charities with its Remembrance Tree fund-raising at Christmas.

Over the past 12 years, Rotary has raised and distributed €150,000 to deserving causes.

And this week, its president Karl Allen, presented a total of eur14,000 to four charities from its latest fund-raising initiative. The money went to Able Vision, the local Alzheimer Society Branch, the Red Door project and Meals on Wheels. The presentation was made at a lunch at the West Court Hotel.

Rotary spokesman Paddy Prendergast, said the money was raised through the Remembrance Tree at three locations in the town — West Street, the Laurence Centre and Tesco on the Donore Road.

‘’ We have been doing this since 1997 and we have now raised a total of €150,000 for charities since then, ‘’ he added. The Rotary Club last year helped the Alzheimer branch to secure a new minibus to ferry its clients to the day care centre on the Donore Road. On that occasion, the €10,000 donated by Rotary went a long way to replacing the old minibus which was in an advanced state of disrepair.

Ann Shortt of the Alzheimer’s branch said: ‘’ We are all deeply appreciative of Rotary’s continued support which helps us enormously in our work. ‘’ They worked very hard over Christmas and we are very grateful to them for their generosity and kindness,’’ she added.

Pictured at the Rotary Club presentation are, left to right, John Delaney, Patricia Delaney from Able Vision, Siobhan Matthews from the Soroptimists (Meals on Wheels), Ann Shortt of Alzheimer’s, Karl Allen, Rotary president, Margaret Dorian and Louise Mahoney from Red Door.