Tribute to 'class' Derry young people

“The young people of Derry should take a well-deserved bow for their mammoth Christmas day dinner volunteering efforts.”

Those were the words of a clearly impressed Declan Moore, owner of Claude’s Cafe in Shipquay Street.

20 years ago, Declan started the Derry tradition of providing a Christmas day dinner for anyone in the city and beyond who needed one.

And, on Christmas day past, Declan and his hard-working elves provided more than 150 dinners for those who gathered in the City Hotel, while a further 300 were delivered to people all over the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.

“As far as Limavady one way and into Strabane and Sion Mills the other way,” said Declan.

Speaking to Derry Now, Declan described the Christmas day dinner operation as a “resounding success”.

“Derry businesses and the Derry public have essentially funded this annual event and really taken it to their hearts,” he said.

“They have also volunteered and stepped up to help out. I am honestly in a position now where we have the facilities in place and we can nearly count on the same people, the hardcore crew of usual heads.

“However, the reality is, there are also always people drifting in and out, be it businesses helping out, as well as the main core businesses, who make us their charity of that year or their special cause of that year.

“Derry, in my opinion, is a unique place. I think people outside have followed our lead. I definitely hear of more and more places offering Christmas day dinners to people who need them.

“God knows what the ripple effect of this has become but I think the people who deserve most praise this year are the younger people of the city, who often get bad press. We had a lot of young people, from 12 or 13 to mid 20s, in the City Hotel on Christmas day who gave up their time and staffed the event amazingly well.

“There are a lot of parents in Derry who should be very, very proud of their sons and their daughters,” said Declan.

Declan’s band of volunteers numbered approximately 100.

He said: “Those 100 volunteers were split between drivers bringing people to the City Hotel and taking them back home again, as well as delivering meals in the down time, while the people there were having their meals.

“More than 300 meals were sent out, along with presents and there were 150 or 160 people sitting in the Restaurant of the City Hotel having dinner at the same time. It was phenomenal.

“But, I’ll say it again, the highlight of the day for me was the younger demographic of people who volunteered in their own right, not at the behest of parents. We had a great band of 12 and 13 year olds. They really were the backbone of the energy around this Christmas day. There are a lot of parents who should be very proud of their children.

“The need that is out there is a completely separate issue. I think it is a life lesson for people who have given up their day gladly and happily, not like I would have done when I was a teenager. I’d have been, ‘When is this over?’ They wanted to be there.

“Derry is definitely unique. We have a full spectrum of businesses who are willing to help, Adults who are willing to help and that younger age group too who are just class.”