Home-Start Down District has just celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Friends and families, volunteers and staff came together on this celebration and enjoyed a tea party in the sun at the charity’s offices in the Down Business Centre and held a vintage evening at the Lakeside Inn at Ballydugan.
[caption id="attachment_57422" align="aligncenter" width="540"]
Some of the staff, volunteers, friends and supporters of Home-Start Down District pictured at the tea party at their offices in the Down Business Centre in Downpatrick to celebrate their 25th anniversary,[/caption]
Following the strawberries and cream and tea and cakes on Friday past, the Vintage Evening drew around 150 supporters.
Senior Organiser Dorothy McMullan said she was delighted will the high level of support. “It was great to see so many people turn up and support us from our volunteers, families and friends. It was an excellent evening as we enjoyed the Vintage Evening run by Bridget Owens of Vintage Living. Models mixed with the audience and we had a barbecue too. It was a lovely evening added too by the vintage car display and rally.
‘Home-Start Down District has performed strongly over the years supporting children and families, and for £9 a week we can support a child while is costs £600 for Child Services a week or £2500 if the child is in residential services.
“In recent years we have increased the number of families we support whilst keeping our costs down through a period of low support in government funding and this is a credit to to the hard-working staff and volunteers and management board.
“We are still recruiting vilunteers and if you are interested and want a vilunteer pack, call 028 44 61 5727 or TEXT Imelda 0n 0759 0849278, Sharon on 0759 0849281 or myself (Dorothy) on 0759 0849280.“
( email: downpatrick@homestartdd.org.uk )
Ritchie Congratulates Home-Start On Their 25th Anniversary South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said: “I was delighted to attend the 25th Anniversary of Home-Start in Down celebrations last night in Downpatrick. “Home-Start in Down District has performed a tremendous job in helping and supporting young families throughout the Down area over the last 25 years through the efforts of many volunteers with offices in Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch. “Homestart in Down, through their local Director Dorothy McMullan ably assisted by Imelda Hynds, have supported many families through challenging times. They deserve commendation and congratulations for their hard work and also for their unassailable campaigns over many years to secure government funds to protect and safeguard their work in defending and supporting families with young children. In fact, many of the families they have supported have provided volunteers who have mentored other families. “If the work of Home-Start is to endure, then the NI Executive through several Departments working in collaboration must seek to provide funding and support for the work they do in challenging and difficult circumstances. “I will be seeking further NI Executive support for Home-Start in Down to ensure that the valuable work they undertake is allowed to endure”.
]]>
