Buy a Gift for the Family Appeal! Christmas is just around the corner and the Society has once again joined forces with the Salvation Army and the BBC to ask you all to buy an extra gift for our Annual Family Appeal. Launched in BBC NI Broadcasting House on 28th November, the Family Appeal will once more provide gifts to children whose families are facing financial hardship, right across the province. Last year over 10,700 children received gifts while a further 4,000 hampers were provided to those in need. |
Speaking at the launch Aileen Coney, SVP Regional Administrator spoke of the very real need in today's society:- "Each week SVP representatives visit over 3,000 homes, providing assistance to people in financial and emotional crisis. We see the very real face of poverty and the stress which the additional consideration of Christmas place on many families". 
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| Friends, including the Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Pat Convery, President of Belfast Rotary, Michael Smyth, representatives of the Society and the Salvation Army and BBC NI, joined BBC Newsline's Sarah Travers and pupils of Holy Family Primary School Choir to get the appeal off to a lively and seasonal start. Supporting the work of the two charities, BBC NI's Controller Anna Carragher said: "The Family Appeal is so important to families across Northern Ireland. Simply by buying one extra gift, people can make a real difference to the lives of thousands of children - and make Christmas happen in hundreds of homes."
In order to allow for distribution to families in time for Christmas, all gifts need to be donated by Wednesday 14th December 2005. Families wishing to apply for help from the Family Appeal can contact their social worker or telephone 02890-315653. Requests for assistance need to be received by Friday 9th December 2005. | | If you would like to help, please donate a gift which is new, safe, non perishable, unwrapped and suitable for children aged 0-16 years of age. Gifts for teenagers are especially welcome as are gifts for families such as a board game, or a tin of biscuits, something that will encourage families to spend time together. Full details of collection points can be found by logging onto the link below or CEEFAX p178. Gifts can also be left at any branch of the Society click here for list the Salvation Army, Alliance & Leicester, Marlowe Cleaners, First Trust Bank, Open & Direct, Ulster Property Sales, NI Co-op, Tesco and Superdrug Stores.  |
