WITH fundraising opportunities decimated by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, London Irish Centre (LIC) CE0 Ellen Ryan has made a direct appeal to friends of the organisation to offer their support this Christmas.
Since the coronavirus outbreak in March the LIC has provided vital services to isolated and at-risk Irish people living across London.
“As CEO, I could not be prouder of how the community of volunteers, staff, trustees and supporters rose to the challenge. We could not have done this without them,” Ms Ryan explained this week.
“Together, with donor support during the Covid-19 pandemic, we became the first centre offering shielding to the vulnerable in Camden, providing essential food and supplies and delivered over 5,000 hot meals and 2,000 food parcels to those who were shielding across London.”
LIC volunteers have also made over 3,000 check-in calls to their clients, helped over 200 people through their wellbeing advice helpline and set up over 70 telephone befriending pairs who now speak on the phone several times a week.
But with the second wave of coronavirus, new lockdown tiers and Christmas around the corner, the charity has found “the need for help is rapidly increasing once again”.
“We are doing everything we can to support those who are vulnerable at this time,” Ms Ryan explained.
“We cannot do this alone,” she added, “with a year of fundraising events cancelled, including our Christmas specials, we urgently need your help.”
“As many Irish people, particularly the older generation, live alone across London, this Christmas will be especially difficult as loneliness and isolation sweeps the city. Our services are needed more than ever. With your support, we will ensure that no one is left behind or forgotten.
The CEO added: “If you were planning to attend one of our events, or have a Christmas party budget that you want to put to good causes, we would greatly appreciate you choosing the London Irish Centre as your charity to support this Christmas.
“There are a number of different ways to give at www.londonirishcentre.org/christmas.”
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