Watch: Women’s Aid calling on residents to help them ‘Make It Magical’ this Christmas

Women’s Aid ABCLN Fundraiser, Arlene Creighton said: “Every child deserves a magical Christmas.

“Often the biggest victims of domestic violence are the smallest. Help us ‘Make It Magical’ for children affected by domestic abuse this Christmas.

“You can make a donation, give a gift or host a virtual ‘magical’ Christmas fundraiser. Sing Christmas carols, wear a woolly jumper or bake mince pies for your family and friends and help us raise funds.”

Local companies pledging their support include Asda, Dunlem, Mayfair and Morgan and Nationwide along with schools, churches, community groups and organisations such as the Lions and Rotary Clubs and sport clubs including Connect Fitness and Larne FC.

Arlene added: “Your fundraising and donations are vitally important to us at this time. You can join us and help to sell our Christmas raffle tickets or make a donation online at www.justgiving.com/womensaidabcln.

“With additional lockdown restrictions in the weeks coming up to Christmas we know this will impact on the much needed gifts for women and toys that we receive for children. As always we urgently need items for young people including teenage boys and this year we are also appealing for vouchers.

“Food and fuel vouchers and gift cards that can be used to purchase essential items will provide a much needed lifeline for those families who need our help the most this Christmas.”

Last year the charity provided support for 1,674 women and 2,313 children living with domestic abuse across Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey including 51 children in its refuge.

In 2019/20 11 babies were born to Women’s Aid refuges across Northern Ireland.

Arlene continued: “With over 8,000 incidents of domestic abuse recorded during lockdown we need your help more than ever during this festive season.

“Police respond to one incident of domestic abuse every 17 minutes, and in 90 per cent of incidents, children or young people are in the same or next room. It is estimated that 32,000 children are living with domestic abuse in Northern Ireland.

“Our ‘Make It Magical Appeal’ can be found online at Women’s Aid ABCLN website and social media pages including Facebook and Twitter.

“Your donation will go a long way to help us ‘Make It Magical’ for those children in our local community who need our help this Christmas.”

To support Women’s Aid ABCLN’s Make It Magical Christmas Appeal you can call 028 25 632136 or email [email protected]

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