A huge benefit of being one of the largest crews (if not ships) in the fleet is the array of activities we can participate in, due to the variety of interests and capabilities among the crew. As Chief of Staff one of my favourite activities is our annual charity drives. For the past 10 years we have been working with various charities, namely St Vincent d’Paul, Peter McVerry Trust, Temple Steet Children’s Hospital, Focus Ireland, Alone & Woman’s Aid to mention just a few, we’ve also helped a pet charity, caring for our animal friends too. Our Christmas party is always our biggest charity drive, our wonderful and massively generous crew and extended families and workmates bring toys, toiletries and sundry other goods for people in need. Last Christmas we had so many donations the it took 3 trips just to deliver it all to Peter McVerry Trust. Who are always hugely impressed with our efforts and always send thanks to the crew on behalf of the families who would have a sad holiday season if not for people like the Cúchulain. To celebrate our 5 year mission in 2018, we held an auction, with some amazing donations including some rareties up for sale. All proceeds went to Temple Street Children’s Hospital. On that occasion we raised €1,635 which we were blown away with as we’d set our sights on possibly rising €500.00 . Needless to say the hospital was thrilled with the donation. The money was used to buy vital emergency equipment for their neo-natal unit. During lockdown, as we couldn’t have our normal Christmas party, and not to be held back by something as paltry as a global pandemic (not even the Borg managed to stop us), we held an online Christmas party !At this Zoom party we suggested online donations to a named charity. We raised over €1225 for Woman’s Aid. The phenomenal generosity of the Cúchulain crew always humbles us and we hope to carry this tradition going forward under our new command team. I’m really proud of our crew, time and again you have gone above & beyond in the finest traditions of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets. You should all be rightly and justly proud of what you have helped us build, without you and your boundless generosity none of this would be possible. We salute you all, the brave crew of the USS Cúchulain.