Christmas appeal enters final days

This festive period the Ballaghaderreen Family Resource Centre is continuing its Christmas food and toy appeals until this Friday, December 19th.

Donations such as non-perishable foods, unwrapped toys and sweets will all be given to local families in need.

Project coordinator manager Martina Durkan and her staff have been kept busy sorting the donations already left in by the local community.

“Over the last few weeks people have been dropping items in and of course people are putting their names on the list for items. Thursday and Friday will be our biggest days,” explained Ms Durkan.

The appeals were first run in 2019 and already this year the resource centre has noticed an increase in demand for items, having supported 72 adults and 94 children last year.

In the last few days a push is being made in Ballaghaderreen and in resource centres across the county to support the appeals as “the need is there,” according to Ms Durkan.

She noted that Ballaghaderreen is home to large families from a range of communities and backgrounds that will avail of the donations being made.

“We’re seeing more and more people coming in that you wouldn’t have expected in other years. It might be parents that are working and their children attend groups here, and they might ask quietly if there is anything to spare can they be put on the list.” Often the demand surpasses the number of items donated, and local businesses often kindly donate vouchers to the cause.

“I was only in the post for a short time for the last Christmas appeal, but I have really seen an increase this year in people giving something back. Because people  have been getting something out of the project during the year they feel like they really want to give back to the project when they can.” 

Donations, big or small, for the appeal can still be made at the Ballaghaderreen FRC until this Friday. For more information contact Martina on 086 6048 560.