St James the Great CCÉ put the fun into fundraising

THE St James the Great branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann—based in the southside of Glasgow—are looking forward with excitement to an upcoming youth exchange visit this month to CCÉ Croisín in County Clare.

Members from the branch’s Under 15 and Under 18 groups and their tutors have signed up for the trip and have been busy planning fundraising events to reduce the costs to families.

“Beginning in November with a break-time bake sale, the baking donations were delicious and we raised an amazing £230,” Sarah McDonnell, St James the Great’s PRO said. “Over the month of November branch members sold tickets for a 50/50 lucky draw, the winner won a fantastic £1100 and we equally gained £1100 towards our fundraising.

“A few tutors planned a Traitors game. So much fun was had by participants and the audience who paid a small entry fee to watch the weekly Round Table discussions and see the competitors banished! Who knew we had so many sneaky characters at St James? Well done to Niamh, Maeve and Ruby who won the game for the Traitors. The bonus is— as well as the fun—we raised £131 for the exchange fund.

In December, the branch also held a Christmas jumper sale, raising £35, but also doing their bit for the environment by recycling, while the final fundraiser of the year was a fantastic festive day out. A group from the branch travelled to Edinburgh to play at the iconic and aptly named, St James Quarter. The tunes were terrific, attracting crowds who generously donated £336.

After the musicians finished playing they were invited up to Bonnie and Wild, the Scottish food marketplace where they were generously provided with refreshments and tasty food, and the opportunity to entertain their diners whilst they ate.

“It was a brilliant day musically and socially for our young people,” Sarah added. “So far, with all these events and some generous donations, we have raised more than £2000.”