25 November 2017
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
The Imperial Express returns to the Imperial Hotel Cork this Christmas, raising funds for the Children’s Leukaemia Association
Danielle Healy, Sales & Marketing Manager at the Imperial Hotel, joined Alison OHalloran (aged 8) and Carly Condon (aged 8) from CADA when they paid a special visit to the Imperial Express now running at the Imperial Hotel, Cork. The hotel is inviting people to make a voluntary donation when they visit the attraction this Christmas, with all proceeds going to the hotel’s charity partner, the Children’s Leukaemia Association (CLA).
Photo: Cathal Noonan
The much-loved Imperial Express is back in Cork’s iconic Imperial Hotel this festive season. The classic Christmas train set is on display in the foyer of the hotel now, and will be there right through the holidays. A visit to see the impressive model train set in its winter scene has become a Christmas tradition for visitors to the hotel, both young and old; and this year the hotel is inviting people to make a donation when they visit the attraction, with all proceeds going to the hotel’s charity partner, the Children’s Leukaemia Association (CLA).
The Imperial, located right in the heart of Cork City, offers a cosy retreat where people can escape from the hustle and bustle of the shopping rush and experience the fun of Christmas with all the family. Throughout the festive period, families and friends are invited to experience the magic of Christmas at the hotel and sip on mulled wine or hot chocolate as they watch the train chug around the tracks in its winter wonderland.
Frits Potgieter, General Manager of the Imperial Hotel said “Christmas is a wonderful time of year in Cork City and we are delighted that the Imperial Express is up and running again in our foyer. The train set is loved by children and adults alike, and families and friends have made a tradition of gathering here every festive season to enjoy the magical atmosphere it brings. We are delighted to this year add a charity element to the attraction, and to support our charity partner, the Children’s Leukaemia Association.”
Visiting the Imperial Express is completely free of charge but there will be a voluntary donation box in the foyer, with all funds going to the CLA which supports and assists families in every way possible during and after a diagnosis and treatment for Leukaemia and other cancers.
This is the second year of the Imperial’s charity partnership with CLA; and in October the hotel hosted a hugely successful Black Tie Gala Ball, with the glamorous event raising over €11,000 for the charity, bringing the total raised so far through the partnership to over €23,000.
Rosarie O’Donovan, Director of the Children’s Leukaemia Association said “The Imperial Hotel has done such amazing work for us over the last two years, and we are so grateful that we are the beneficiary for this lovely Christmas experience. We will certainly be popping down to the hotel to enjoy the Imperial Express! The Imperial’s support makes a huge difference in the work we do supporting and assisting families of children with leukaemia and childhood cancers, and for that we are so grateful.”
To find out more about the Children’s Leukaemia Association visit www.cla.ie
