Late Christmas presents for two local charities

The PSNI has donated £660 to both St Vincent De Paul and the Salvation Army following the seizure of cash in Drumellan in April 2010.

The cash was seized as officers arrested a man on suspicion of drugs offences.

At a subsequent court hearing the Magistrate issued a court order that two local charities should benefit from the seized cash.

Sam Parke, honourary president of St Vincent De Paul, said it was a “wonderful suprise”.

“I have been at the Ozanam Centre for twenty years and this is the first time this has happened,” he said.

“It’s a large amount of money for us, and it certainly came as a surprise.

“It’s all going towards a good cause. The money will be spent on helping the most disadvantaged. We will use it for food, clothing and heating.”

Captain Graham Wood of the Salvation Army said he was “delighted” with the donation.

“We are hoping to send the money to support the Chikankata Mission Hospital in Zambia,” he said.

“There is no national health service over there, so this would be money well spent.

“We are about to send our annual donation over there, so this would be a huge boost.

“It was originally standing at around £2,500, but now it could be well over £3,000.”