Newstalk and Marie Keating Foundation kick off the Christmas season at annual Christmas lunch

Over 300 guests attend Christmas lunch to support the Marie Keating Foundation, a leading voice in cancer awareness and support

Dublin, 5 December 2014: Over 300 guests kicked off the Christmas season at the Newstalk Christmas Lunch in aid of Marie Keating Foundation in The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin 2 on Thursday, 4 December 2014. The lunch raised in excess of €15,000 for the Marie Keating Foundation, which is committed to providing people with the necessary information to prevent the most common cancers affecting both men and women in Ireland or detecting them at their earliest stages. The Foundation also provides a range of cancer support services for cancer patients, survivors and their families. This year, all funds raised at the Newstalk Christmas Lunch will support the Foundation’s Comfort Fund, which provides financial support to families in difficulty as a direct result of their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Newstalk Breakfast presenter and cancer survivor Chris Donoghue was MC for the event, which was also attended by Norah Casey, Majella O’Donnell, Lorraine Keane, Anna Daly and Debbie O’Donnell. Guests enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a delicious Christmas themed meal accompanied by wine and chocolates, kindly sponsored by Marks & Spencer Ireland.

Entertainment for the afternoon was provided by the Lucan Gospel Choir and The Nualas. Harvey Norman laid on a Christmas-themed raffle, with everyone who participated winning something, and raising over €2,500 for the Marie Keating Foundation in the process. The Daily Mail supported the annual event through advertising and sponsorship.

Linda Keating, Director of Fundraising, Marie Keating Foundation said “The Marie Keating Foundation does not receive any government funding so we would be absolutely lost if it was not for organisations like Newstalk so we are so grateful that they have supported us again this year. We are also very thankful to Marks & Spencer who are a longstanding supporter of the Foundation. We are delighted that so many people have come to this event. It’s a wonderful way to start the Christmas season and I hope that everyone enjoyed themselves while helping us raise much needed funds to support our cancer programmes.”