Families facing impossible choices as Christmas Family Appeal is launched

Celebrating its 40th anniversary of a joint appeal by the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul has been backed by ABC Lord Mayor Kevin Savage.

He joined Captain Lisa Cunnigham of the Salvation Army and Brendan McKernan, Anita McGeown and Eileen McKenna of St Vincent de Paul to appeal for people to help struggling families celebrate the festive season.

Captain Lisa Cunningham from The Salvation Army said: “Through our frontline work we have seen first-hand the impact of the pandemic on the families we support.

“We know this year has been difficult for so many but we ask that people continue to support the Family Appeal and help us make a difference this Christmas.”

Brendan McKernan from St Vincent de Paul said for many families Christmas is ‘filled with worry and dread’ and these feelings have been ‘heightened with the impact of the pandemic’.

He pointed out some families will be faced with impossible choices. “The choice of heating their home or putting presents under the tree. The choice of buying Christmas dinner or new clothes for their children.

“We want every child in Northern Ireland to enjoy the magic of Christmas by finding a gift under the tree on Christmas morning. Online donations made to the Christmas Family Appeal this year will be converted into gift vouchers empowering parents and guardians to choose gifts themselves.”

You can donate here

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