Handcrafted nativity scene nets funds for hospice

Talented Tony Gallagher tested his patience for St Catherine’s – when he created a nativity scene out of more than 20,400 matchsticks which was raffled off to raise funds.

Tony’s amazing creation was painstakingly put together over seven months and features a host of intricate details.

Elizabeth Yates was over the moon to be picked as the winner in the raffle, which raised £173 to support the care of St Catherine’s.

Tony said: “I made my first one back in 1970 in Germany and I’ve been making them ever since!

“We raffled one off for St Catherine’s last Christmas after my sister was so well looked after here. The experience inspired me to do something in her memory and I decided I’d like to do it again this year. The care she received was just terrific.”

Emma Jacovelli, Head of Community Engagement at St Catherine’s, said: “Once again we’re amazed at what Tony has put together – it really is beautiful and it’s wonderful to hear it go to such a deserving home with Elizabeth.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Tony for the many hours he’s put into building this. The funds raised will help us to care for local people, helping those affected by conditions like cancer, heart failure and motor neurone disease to have quality of life, until the end of life.”

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