Clare Rose: 'Team Hope shoebox appeal is part of our Christmas tradition'

Aisling O’Connor recalls childhood shopping trips with her mother for little gifts to fill the Team Hope Christmas Appeal shoebox. It’s fitting that this year she gets to launch the campaign, writes Helen O’Callaghan

Pictured at the launch of the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2023 is Ambassador and Clare Rose, Aisling O'Connor with Kayla Hogan, Finlay Mahon, Amos Brennan, Beth Hogan and Ezra Mahon. Pic: Marc O'Sullivan

Aisling O’Connor has fond memories of going into town as a young girl with her late mother, Denise – and being “let loose” around Penneys to gather gifts for Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

“I was given the autonomy to pick out all the little gifts,” says the 25-year-old, who was this year’s Clare Rose of Tralee. “I’d go through endless arrays of fluffy socks and mittens and colouring books. I’d add in chewy sweets and choose bright Christmas paper for wrapping the box. Even as a child, I felt fulfilled doing this.”