A West Belfast community organisation, which runs an annual Christmas donation drive to help local families, has said the cost of living crisis means "the need is higher this year" compared to previous years.
Whiterock Children's Centre, which last year supported more than 400 children at Christmas, has launched its latest appeal for donations of toys and clothes which it then delivers to homes in the Upper Springfield and Whiterock areas.
Whiterock Children's Centre, a family focused community organisation based on the Whiterock Road, has been in existence for over 34 years.
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Today, the centre has grown considerably from its humble, but important, beginnings to a fully equipped children’s facility catering for up to 88 children from 0-12 years (day care, out of schools and children’s development).
It also offers a range of family support services and ‘in-house’ family learning programmes along with support services to ethnic minority children and families, outreach programmes into communities and schools plus therapeutic services and a sensory room for children.
But the Christmas appeal is something the team is immensely proud of and it has been going now for over 12 years. Last year, they supported approximately 160 families with over 400 children benefiting from the appeal.
New IBO world light-heavyweight champion, Padraig McCrory was on hand to launch this year's appeal but Deirdre Walsh, director of Whiterock Children's Centre, said the current cost of living means the need for support has increased this Christmas.
"This year we know that there are so many families struggling. We know that some families who had in the past been able to donate have now found themselves not in a position to do so," she said.
"The number of families needing help and support has increased, which is a reflection on the high cost of living- the increases in fuel, electric and food and the change in circumstances and struggles many people are finding themselves in.
"We are therefore asking for those people, businesses, families, groups of friends or organisations who feel that they can help to get in touch with us on 028 90438438 or to donate to our new PayPal link and all money will be going to help those families in most need for Christmas 2022.
"Some local businesses/organisations and clubs such as The Bullring Convenience Store, Cumann Spóirt an Phobail, Corpus Christi Parish, Top of the Rock Healthy Living Centre as well as families and local people have all donated."
Deirdre added: "We are blown away by the thoughtfulness and generosity shown already by such amazing people in the wonderful place we call home.
"We understand that people may get many requests to support charities but the priority of our Whiterock Children's Centre Appeal 2022 is to ensure that every child and young person in our community does not go without at Christmas.
"We are really concerned that the need is higher than previous years and that we may not get the response we usually get from the public for support as so many are feeling the pinch this year. So, we are appealing to you to support our call in whatever small way you can."
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