Charity says need for aid has gone up 100%

With endless lists of food and gifts to buy, cards to write and send, plus 1001 things we must remember to do as the festive season approaches, it can be easy to forget that some families have very little at Christmas.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is making it easier for people in Lurgan to support its work and to donate a gift or toy which will be given to a family in need.

Regional President, Aidan Crawford from SVP comments: “Each year, supported by the BBC, we run our Family Appeal in partnership with the Salvation Army. We link up with as many local shops as we can who act as collection points and this year toys and gifts can be left in at the local branch of Tesco, First Trust Bank, Gordon’s Chemist as well as St Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army charity shops. We are very grateful for any support and would simply ask people to think about those who are struggling to make ends meet and to purchase an extra gift this year for a child from birth to 16 years and bring it unwrapped along to one of the collection points.

“We have more than 1,600 volunteers on the ground and already make more than 2000 visits a week to the homes of local people right across Northern Ireland and all communities offering practical help and support, as well as running breakfast clubs, crèches, after-school clubs and 29 shops across the province.

“In addition we are once again taking part in Marks and Spencer’s Giving Tree initiative in conjunction with Belfast Central Mission (BCM) where toys and gifts can be placed under a special tree in the main Belfast store on Royal Avenue. These will be split between SVP and BCM for distribution throughout all of the community. We hope the people in Lurgan will show their generosity to support the Family Christmas Appeal and our December collections.”