This year's 'Giving Tree' Appeal was launched in Marks & Spencer, Donegall Place Belfast. Every Christmas for the past six years the Society of St Vincent de Paul and Belfast Central Mission have given the public the opportunity to buy toys for children in need. | | |
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THANK YOU BELFAST : 1,600 toys and £1,180 donated!!
 
Staff from Marks & Spencer Sprucefield along with Linda Savage (SVP) and Lorna Henry (BCM)
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| Under the Giving Tree scheme, gift tags are placed on the tree showing the ages and gender of children. Members of the public are invited to take a tag and buy a suitable gift which should be returned to the volunteers at the tree. Alternatively you can make a cash donation. |
| | | Pat McCann (SVP) & Lorna Henry (BCM) | click on any image to enlarge | Members and staff from SVP and BCM at launch |
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The Giving Tree event lasted for two weeks from 1st December 2004 until Tuesday December 14th when all the gifts were shared between BCM and the Society of St Vincent de Paul for distribution to needy families. |
| Down Academy Controlled Integrated School helped the Appeal off to a great start by working hard to donate 'pocket money gifts' of up to £40 from each class through various novel fundraising events such as sponsored silence, football competitions and hamper raffles. |  | | Staff and pupils from Down Academy presenting gifts to BCM. |
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| This year the generosity of the public in Belfast provided more than 1,600 toys and £1,180 in cash which provided much needed Christmas gifts for more than 1,000 children. |
