SVP funds take major hit

More than 200 people a day in Cork are making calls to St Vincent De Paul (SVP) in the run-up to Christmas.

That’s what the charity said as it launched its annual Christmas appeal and car draw raffle this week.

The staggering number of calls to the regional office comes as the charity is facing unprecedented challenges this year as Covid-19 has led to the cancellation of the majority of its fundraising events.

The charity has expressed concerns that up to 40 per cent of their income from their core fundraising this year could be lost as a result of the pandemic, with their annual collections in mid-December set to be significantly reduced, if they are even permitted to take place.

SVP South West’s Regional President Paddy O’Flynn said that this year it was “more important than ever” to support the Christmas raffle taking place on 7 January.

He said: “The people of Cork have always been very generous to us. This has been an exceptionally challenging year for SVP but particularly for the families and the people that we support.

“We depend on the generosity of our brilliant donors and we’re asking them to support us if at all possible, for this annual car draw raffle,” Mr O’Flynn added.

“We will reach out to many families and individuals for Christmas this year to ensure that they have enough food and some Christmas treats to mark the season, as we always do.”

SVP’s Annual Car Draw for 2020 will be the primary fundraising event for the charity this year.

The first prize will be a new Ford Focus, donated by the CAB motor company.

In addition to this there will also be six other cash prizes.

Visit app.galabid.com/cardraw2020 for raffle tickets.

Raffle tickets can also be returned in the freepost SVP envelope or can also be brought to the SVP Regional Office at Ozanam House, 2 Tuckey Street, Cork city.