Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Patricia Logue, today joined with Children in Crossfire Chief Executive Richard Moore to congratulate Martin Gallagher on his 2023 Guildhall fundraiser, which has brought his efforts to a major new milestone.
Martin and his wife Mary established the Christopher Gallagher Memorial Fund after their son Christopher died of malaria in 2006, aged just 23. Funds raised over the past 15 years have been donated to Children in Crossfire.
Martin has been Santa at Derry’s Guildhall every December since 2010, and funds raised last Christmas brought the total raised in Christopher’s memory to close to £94,000.
Mayor Logue said, “I was very pleased to facilitate Martin’s annual sit-out as Santa at the Guildhall in the run-up to Christmas, and I am delighted that he raised a further £3,031.04 for his efforts.
“Martin was there each day, no matter the weather, engaging so heartily with the children and families who met him. He is a brilliant asset to Children in Crossfire and a credit to Derry.”
Richard Moore added, “Martin and Mary have raised an amazing £93,563.87 for Children in Crossfire over the years.
“In the past year alone, they have brought in more than £11,000, including the money raised at the Guildhall.
“They continue to honour Christopher’s memory by supporting some of the world’s most vulnerable children, in Tanzania and Ethiopia.
“Their achievement really does deserve the warmest praise and we are so glad to have their goodwill.
“We are very grateful too for the kind support of the people of Derry who visit Martin at the Guildhall year after year.
“Thanks to them in the main, we are now within touching distance of the £100,000 milestone, so it’s fair to say we are already looking forward to Christmas 2024!
“I want to also thank the staff at Doherty’s Bakery on Foyle Street, who provided Martin with his lunch each day free of charge. Their generosity is greatly appreciated.”
Martin Gallagher concluded: “I thoroughly enjoy fundraising for Children in Crossfire, especially as Santa at the Guildhall.
“So many people ask me about Christopher, whose photograph is always on display, and it makes Mary and me proud that very vulnerable children are being supported in his memory.
“We want to thank everyone who supported us in 2023, including everyone who donated at the Guildhall and the team at Doherty’s.
“We are already planning this year’s campaign which, fingers crossed, will see the amount raised since 2008 go over the £100,000 mark.”
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