Grocery industry gathers again to generously support annual IGBF Christmas lunch
For the first year ever, the IGBF has created a video of its renowned Christmas Lunch: Spot anyone you know?
Print7 December 2022
Over 1,200 people from Ireland’s grocery industry gathered at the Clayton Burlington Hotel for the 2022 Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund Christmas Lunch, held on Friday, 3 December to raise funds for the industry charity. This year, the charity also created a video for the celebrated event, which can be downloaded: https://we.tl/t-YhrNN5DkVd.
Now in its 59th year, this luncheon event, the biggest in the IGBF social calendar, again officially marks the countdown to Christmas for the trade and brings together suppliers, retailers, and support companies to raise valuable funds for the charity.
Organised by Hotel Solutions DMC, and hosted by Marty Whelan, this year’s event saw entertainment by the XOD Dance Troop, and light-hearted fun on the day with the introduction of the ‘IGBF Christmas Jumper ‘competition.
Kindly sponsored by the National Lottery and PRM, the annual event continues to be the biggest single fundraiser for the IGBF thanks to the participation and support of the trade.
Commenting on the day, Kevin Keating, the outgoing IGBF president of appeals thanked attendees and sponsors for their on-going generosity.
During his address to the audience, Keating noted: “Having been severely impacted in our ability to host live events by the covid 19 pandemic for the past two years, returning to a full calendar for 2022 has been fantastic for the IGBF charity.
“This year, it has been our pleasure to welcome back some of the charity’s firm staples in our calendar such as The IGBF Sports Lunch, TWIG’s networking lunch, the Grocers Fun Run, our many regional golf and ball events and of course our annual Christmas lunch. These events give us as an industry a chance to bring our grocery community together face to face while raising much needed funds for a very worthwhile cause.”
At the lunch Frances Higgins, chairperson of the IGBF, announced the IGBF’s new president of appeals for 2023, Joe Manning, commercial director, Tesco Ireland, wishing him well in his new role.
Reflecting on her first year as chairperson, Higgins said: “Yet again, we have been blessed by the generous ongoing support of the trade and of our sponsors at key events throughout the year. It is only through this support by our colleagues within the grocery sector that we, as a charity can provide financial relief to members of the industry and their families, who find themselves in need of assistance.
“I would like to appeal to all the suppliers, retailers, wholesalers, and companies that attended the Christmas lunch, to raise awareness within your own business of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund. This is YOUR charity for YOUR colleagues… in whatever setting they work, and we are here to help. Contact info@igbf.ie or gus.oreilly@igbf.ie in total confidence to see how we might assist.”
For further information on the IGBF and its activities for 2023, visit www.igbf.ie.
Related Articles
XL Ireland introduces new mascot, Briosca the Irish Wolfhound →
The Busker debuts small batch Single Pot Still Whiskey →
I’m with the brand: Aaron Mulligan, brand ambassador for Diplomatico Rum →
Fans 0
Followers