In pictures: Bear Run 74 brings Christmas delight to children at Letterkenny hospital

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The huge collection from The Bear Run 74’s 2025 Toy Appeal has begun to be distributed.

Christmas cheer was in the air on Sunday afternoon at Letterkenny University Hospital as children and the paediatric ward took receipt of a large stash of goodies.

Such was the success of the 2025 Toy Appeal, multiple recipients were selected by organiser Keith ‘Bear’ Gamble.

A staggering €7,740 was collected on the day of the appeal, hosted at Patterson’s Kitchens in Lifford.

On Sunday, ‘Bear’ and his team, complete with a some customary supercars, delivered toys to LUH and St Colmcille’s Hostel in Letterkenny. Sonic the Hedgehog, The Grinch and Mario got in on the celebrations on Sunday.

St Bernadette’s and Little Angels schools in Letterkenny and Knockavoe School in Strabane will also benefit from the heart-warming donations.

‘Bear’ told how the event has grown from the early days in 2021 when the appeal lifted around 50 toys.

“We do a lot for charity, but for me this year is the most important thing, I love time of year to see children happy,” ‘Bear’ said.

“It has gotten bigger and bigger. I remember last year we spent €1,860 in Home Bargains and it was like Supermarket Sweep. It was good fun and we brought the toys here to the hospital.”

This year, they had a van load of toys on top of the large volume of cash. On Tuesday night, a team went to B&M to clean the shelves for the cause. 

“We're going to help a few more people in need somewhere,” ‘Bear’ said. “Everybody's getting benefit out of it, and a big thanks to all of our team and all the people for bringing their cars today and making it even bigger.”

This is the fifth year of the Toy Appeal while Bear’s charity fundraising has now passed €260,000.

The Bear Run and a variety of car shows over the last five years have benefited charitable causes to the tune of over a quarter-of-a-million euro now. His efforts were recently acknowledged by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Ruairi McHugh, who made a presentation in recognition of the fundraising.

Marion Doogan, the newly appointed Head of Midwifery at LUH, praised the efforts.

“Thank you for making this such a special event,” Ms Doogan said. “Thanks to Bear and everybody who came along with their children and everybody who came out.

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“They've brought all their lovely cars and they have brought so many toys. The paediatric ward here at Letterkenny are going to benefit from this fundraiser. It's a very special time of the year and it's tough for a child to be in hospital at this time of the year. 

“So, thank you to everybody that's been involved in this process. The children in particular will benefit so much from that fundraiser.”