Coleraine's rugby star Andrew supports Oxfam campaign

The store is hoping to appeal to shoppers in the run-up to Christmas with its traditional unwrapped cards including the gift of a goat or clean water, along with new items like accessories, Fair Trade chocolates, candles, crafts, games and even hip colouring-in books for grown-ups. Wrapping paper and Christmas cards are also available.

Oxfam’s Coleraine Shop Manager Ken Cousins said: “Christmas is a crucial time for Oxfam Ireland with emergency relief being provided to refugees in conflict zones along with long-term projects helping families lift themselves out of extreme poverty and hunger.

“We hope people in Coleraine will support our work this Christmas and help raise vital funds to continue Oxfam’s work. This includes providing clean water in countries like Syria and Iraq and supporting vulnerable unaccompanied children arriving in Europe.

“With gifts that give back starting at £1.50 for a brand new pair of gloves and from £3 for an Unwrapped card supporting cocoa farmers, there really is something for everyone. You can tick off your Christmas list with stocking-fillers, festive essentials and thoughtful present ideas that will be sure to please your family and friends – and help people further afield in crisis and poverty.”

Unwrapped alternative gift cards:

Alternative gift card range Unwrapped has new additions this Christmas – Long Life Learning (£10) gift supporting education for orphans and other children alongside Support a Budding Business (£42) helping women in extreme poverty get a new livelihood off the ground through literacy and numeracy skills and mentoring.

The money raised by Unwrapped cards like Care for a Baby (£12) and Safe Water for a Family goes to emergency programmes, supporting people affected by conflict and natural disasters.

The popular Goat (£25) card is joined by the new Goat for Christmas card (also £25) which supports vulnerable communities who depend on animals for their livelihood. Other firm favourites include Chocolate (£3), A Clutch of Chicks (£15) and Educate a Girl (£19) which gives girls the opportunity they deserve to attend school, to reach their potential and to change their future.

Brand new gift items:

This year the Oxfam Coleraine shop has a selection of brand new and Fair Trade gift items, including hip and quirky additions such as a cross-stitch craft kit (£4), colouring book for adults (£9) and a ‘grow your own Christmas tree’ set (£2).

With festive treats for foodies, kits for creative craftivists, toys for kids of all ages, and wonderful winter warmers – everything from seasonal Mulled Wine Spices (£4), gloves (£1.50), candles (from £2) and novelty socks (£2) – these presents will make the perfect addition to Christmas hampers, stocking fillers for family and friends or end of term gifts for teachers.

The store is a one-stop shop to get you ready for Christmas, with a fantastic selection of seasonal cards (from 99p to £4.99), super decorations (from £2) to dress the tree in style, and essential gift tags and wrapping (from £2).

Gifts are also available online at www.oxfamireland.org/gifts.

Making a wish for some baaa-rilliant gifts is xfam Ireland Ambassador, Ireland and Ulster rugby star Andrew Trimble who is pictured with elf three-year old Micah Campbell and Christmas Fairy six-year- old Lucy Campbell, and goats Keith and Lilly.

With the help of his farmyard friends and Santa’s helpers, Coleraine-man Andrew was launching the Oxfam’s bumper range of Christmas gifts.