More than 60 St Vincent de Paul (SVP) shop committee members, area presidents and Vincent’s charity shop managers from all across Northern Ireland, including Downpatrick, recently joined together for their third AGM to discuss progress and share best practice.
At the AGM, SVP’s Regional President, Aidan Crawford, highlighted the important role the shops play within the Society and with the charity’s busiest time of the year drawing closer, he also urged the public to keep Vincent’s charity shops in mind if they have any pre-loved items to donate.
He said: “SVP’s key purpose is to alleviate poverty and help those in need, and our shops play a vital role in this service. Not only are they a lifeline to many who visit the shop to purchase affordable necessities and have a friendly chat with our volunteers, they are also an important source of revenue for the charity which allows us to expand our work further into the local community.
“The shops can only be successful with help from the public and with our busiest time of the year fast approaching, we would appeal to people to donate any items in good condition that they may no longer need or want.
“We know that many people have clear-outs in the run-up to Christmas and so I would ask them to consider donating items to their local Vincent’s. We have 32 charity shops across Northern Ireland, including our outlets on Irish Street, Bridge Street and at the Ballymote Centre in Downpatrick. All donations are so gratefully received and funds raised go back into supporting the work of SVP across local areas.”
SVP is fully funded by donations and work is carried out 365 days a year across Northern Ireland by more than 1600 active volunteers. Through Conferences (groups), the Society provides assistance to all sections of the community and offers practical, material and moral support as well as friendship to families and individuals in need.
For more information on donating to Vincent’s in Downpatrick, please contact your local charity shop on 028 4461 4194 (Irish Street), 028 4461 3717 (Ballymote Centre) or 028 4461 6960 (Bridge Street).
