All eyes on Longford Slashers this Saturday ahead of 'Operation Blue Nose Reindeer' book launch

The local GAA complex will be the venue on Saturday afternoon for the eagerly awaited launch of Operation Blue Light Santa in a bid to raise much needed funds for three locally based charities.

Now in its second year, the Blue Santa campaign has quickly become one of the county's most sought after festive occasions and coincides with the launch of children's book, Operation Blue Nose Reindeer.

The brainchild of local journalist Jessica Thompson, this year's finished product  tells the story of Rudolf, who realises one foggy Christmas Eve that his nose won't glow. 

The problem sparks a series of events where local gardaí, ambulance crew and other helpers scramble to find a solution to help him to find his glow. 

"This year's book encourages children to talk about how they're feeling," said Jessica, ahead of this Saturday's launch. 

"It's okay to be sad and sometimes you just need a good friend to help you through."

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It's been more than a labour of love for the Ballymahon based author, whose literary exploits last year helped raise €6,000 alone for local charities.

Add in an accompanying Garda band concert and last year's overall total amassed a total €12,500. 

"Emma Kiernan (community garda) approached me last year and asked if I'd be willing to write a children's book for her fundraising campaign and I was thrilled to be involved - she's a great one for getting people on board with her charitable ideas and bringing out the best in others for the good of the community she serves," she said. 

"I may have written the books, but she really deserves all the credit for the hard work she puts in behind the scenes.

"But I only wrote the words. This is a picture book and the most important part of a picture book is its pictures. 

"Ours was done by Ballinalee artist Nicole Forster again this year. She really is such a talented artist and she's such a pleasure to work with. It's really lovely to have both our names on such a beautiful product."

This year's three local benefactors are Lus na Gréine FRC in Granard, Bridgeways FRC in Ballymahon and Garda charity, Little Blue Heroes.

In paying tribute to her colleagues who helped bring this year's publication to fruition, Jessica expressed her own desire to see the Operation Blue Santa brand become an annual affair.

"It has genuinely been a pleasure working on this operation these past two years. I love working with the local Gardaí and I'm grateful to Superintendent Seamus Boyle who has been an avid supporter of the operation since Emma first approached him with the idea," she said.

"Emma herself has been incredible under pressure. We've gone bigger and better this year which has been extra work on her but she has really pulled it all together.

"Siobhán Cronogue and her team at Longford PPN have also been amazing with the organising and promotion of our events.

"They, alongside Longford County Council and Longford Community Safety Partnership also provided funding for the book, which was designed and printed locally by Rapid Print.

"I'd love to see this become an annual thing because I feel like we're only getting started and we have so much more to offer. The operation has so much potential to go further."

This Saturday's occasion runs from 12pm to 3pm with a community fun day lined up. 

Such has been the appetite for the return of Operation Blue Santa, tickets have sold out.

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There will, nonetheless, be plenty of other chances to snap up a copy of the new book with the Jolly Boys Market in Ballymahon also set to stage an open event this weekend. 

Outside of that, Jacinta Brady of the Longford LEAP Project and Sergeant Emer Farrell have organised an afternoon tea event taking place on December 11th.

There'll be plenty of treats and some great talks by guest speakers, not to mention great music and a drinks reception included in the entry price. Tickets are €25 each and can be obtained by contacting Emma on longford.community@garda.ie .

Jacinta has also organised an 80s Disco which will be held in the Breffni Arms, Arva, on December 17th, while Emma has organised a candlelit concert by the Mulligan Sisters in Ballymahon's St Matthew's Church for December 18th. 

Ticket details for both of these events will be announced soon on the Operation Blue Santa's social media accounts. For more, follow @BlueLightSanta on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.