Outdoor staff in Galway City Council are bringing the true spirit of Christmas to life this year, raising an incredible €3,220 for three deserving local charities. Staff donated an average of €50 each reaching their grand total in time for Christmas. Their generosity will help spread joy and comfort to those who need it most during the festive season in Galway Autism Partnership, Galway Hospice, and the Paediatric Unit at University Hospital Galway.
On Wednesday 17 December 2025, members of GCC’s Outdoor Staff travelled across Galway to deliver their Christmas collection to Galway Autism Partnership, Galway Hospice, and the Paediatric Unit at University Hospital Galway (UHG).
These organisations play a vital role in supporting families and individuals in the community.
This initiative builds on the success of Christmas 2024, when the Litter Management Unit in Galway City Council raised over €1,000 for toys in the Paediatric Unit at UHG. Inspired by their colleagues, more staff wanted to join in the collection this year, with over 60 Outdoor Staff contributing to the Christmas collection since November 2025.
Derek Griffin, Ganger at Galway City Council and organiser of the collection, said:
“After the success of the Litter Management Unit’s collection last Christmas, word spread quickly among the Outdoor Staff. Everyone was saying, ‘We want in on that!’—and before we knew it, the idea snowballed.
The response was incredible, and so many people wanted to contribute that we decided to share the funds between three charities this year.
We chose Galway Autism Partnership because myself and some of our colleagues have children with autism and we see the amazing work they do behind the scenes.
We also wanted to support Galway Hospice because nearly every family has had some connection with them at some point. They’re there for people when life gets really tough, and that means a lot to everyone.
Finally, we continued the tradition of donating to the Paediatric Unit at UHG, which began last year. Having a child in hospital is difficult at any time, but especially at Christmas.
It’s a small but meaningful way for us to give back and spread a little Christmas cheer.
I also want to give a special mention to Tommy Molloy, who retired this year but started this tradition of the Christmas Collection, and to our supervisor Jimmy O’Connor, who first gave him the idea.”
The donations to Galway Autism Partnership, Galway Hospice, and the Paediatric Unit at University Hospital Galway (UHG) were delivered just in time for Christmas, marking another year of generosity and festive cheer from 60 staff in the outdoor team in Galway City Council.
Speaking about the handover, Máire Bríd Ni Chonghaile, the General Manager at the Galway Autism Partnership said: “On behalf of the team at Galway Autism Partnership, the board of trustees and all of our families, I would like to extend a huge thank you to the Galway City Council Outdoor Staff for their efforts to raise this generous donation for GAP. As a small organisation, kind gestures such as this one mean that we can continue with our efforts in supporting families in Galway City and County. Ar mbuíochas agus beannachtaí na nollaig oraibh go léir.”
Mary Nash, CEO of Galway Hospice commented; “A huge thank you to GCC’s Outdoor Staff for thinking of Galway Hospice this Christmas. Every contribution helps us to continue to provide specialist palliative care and comfort to patients and families at a time when it matters most. Their kindness truly reflects the Galway community spirit of giving that has supported our work over the past forty years and that makes this season so special.”
If you’d like to continue the Christmas spirit and support these organisations, please visit:
- Galway Autism Partnership: www.GalwayAutismPartnership.com
- Galway Hospice Foundation: www.GalwayHospice.ie
- St. Bernadette’s Paediatric Unit, UHG: www.saolta.ie/wards/paediatric-department-st-bernadettes-childrens-unit