Mr Rodney Connor, Trustee with Air Ambulance NI visited the Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown on Friday of last week to meet with representatives of Irvinestown Youth Club who presented him with a cheque for £3,022.72 being the proceeds from their first annual Christmas Tree Festival held in the Centre over the 2018 Christmas period.

Almost 50 local schools and community groups participated in the Festival by providing a Christmas tree with relevant decorations reflecting their activities. The event organized by the Youth Club continued for ten days under the spectacular decorations in the Minor Hall at the Centre.

Refreshments were provided for all visitors.

In offering thanks to everyone who supported the event Mr Connor said: "This is a brilliant donation raised by the Youth Club which will be of great use for Air Ambulance NI for their work in our rural area". He invited Youth Club members to visit Enniskillen Airport to see an Air Ambulance.

He also thanked the Bawnacre staff for their assistance at this event and he had praise for Irvinestown Community Choir and Sing Together for their musicals contributions. Ten local children won a hamper in the Christmas tree art competition.

Sandra Spratt-Davison Youth Leader also expressed thanks to every who provided a tree;or visited the Festival and made a financial contribution.

Before leaving the Centre the Youth Club and Mr Connor agreed to repeat the event at Christmas 2019 and they all hope that new exhibitors will join with the 2018 groups to make the next Festival even more successful. The 2019 Festival will run from Monday, December 16 until Tuesday, December 31.