RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) hosted annual Christmas lunch for senior citizens of the local community, a tradition that has been going for more than 25 years.

This year, attendees were joined by Elysha Brennan, RCSI student and current Rose of Tralee. The lunch, for senior citizens living in the catchment area of the College, is organised by the REACH (Recreation Education and Community Health) RCSI programme, supported voluntarily by RCSI staff and is sponsored by the College. The festivities, held on Tuesday, 1 December, included a Christmas lunch and afternoon of music and dancing. 

The senior citizens were joined by Elysha Brennan, who was crowned Rose of Tralee in August. Elysha captured the hearts of the nation during the competition when she spoke of her passions including a love for the Late Late Show, her difficulties with learning to drive, her ambitions to be a paediatrician and her triumph over adversity after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (a form of leukaemia) weeks before her Leaving Cert began. 

Speaking on the annual Christmas lunch, Maria Kelly, REACH RCSI Manager said: "It's fantastic to keep up this long-standing RCSI tradition and to have Elysha volunteer from her very busy schedule is brilliant. The annual Christmas lunch really does mark the beginning of Christmas at RCSI. Thanks to the staff who are also volunteering their time and very much enjoy giving something back to the local community." 

The REACH RCSI programme was established in 2007 to encourage and facilitate third level participation and enhance the life chances for those traditionally underrepresented at third level, particularly those from Dublin's south inner city.