click to enlarge     "On behalf of the Society of St Vincent de Paul throughout Northern Ireland, I would like to thank everybody who played their part in making this year's Christmas Appeal a success. To everyone who made a donation at the Masses and members of the business community and others who made private donations no matter how large or small.... to those who left in gifts for the Family Appeal and supported all our Street Collections and Giving Trees....to all the schools who sold Christmas cards and made up the hundreds of hampers...Thank You All.... Regional President Cormac Wilson

The Society of St Vincent de Paul wishes to thank everyone who supported our recent appeals and helped bring much hope and happiness to families over Christmas.   Once again "You" the ever generous public have made an enormous contribution both financially and in kind to thousands of needy families throughout Northern Ireland.   During SVP Week (1st to 9th December), special collections were taken at Masses and around 30,000 copies of our latest annual report distributed.   Some conferences also organised other 'novel' fundraising events such as carol singing, tree planting and the selling of Christmas cards.   Our joint 'Family Appeal' with the Salvation Army kicked off with TV and radio coverage on 26th November and over 15,000 toys and gifts were handed in at collection points all over Northern Ireland.     In Belfast, the annual 'Giving Tree' at Marks and Spencer along with other smaller giving trees also helped boost the number of gifts received. This was complimented by our 'Flag-Day" when over 120 volunteers, supporters and members of BCM braved the elements in Belfast's city centre on 1st of December and collected a staggering £5,774.97.

Belfast Mayor Jim Rodgers at BBC launch of Family Appeal Aileen Coney (SVP) & Iris Corry (SA) at Family Appeal HQ Christian Bikers provide gifts Holy Family Newington, Belfast PS Choir NI Federation of Clubs presenting cheque Major Jacques and Aileen Coney accepting gifts from Bar Library Helpers at Regional Furniture Store Aileen Coney at Family Appeal launch in BBC Our Lady & St Patrick's College Knock More hampers from Knock College Food and gifts Hampers from St Patrick's Bearnageeha Girls help out packing toys Packing toys at the Family Appeal RAIS present gifts to Aileen Coney Sarah Travers with girls from Our Lady's College at Appeal Receiving gifts from Business in the Community Santa helps out too!! click on any image above to enlarge