Cold weather brings blizzard of calls to SVP
A Cork charity has been “swamped” with calls for assistance in recent days as ongoing extreme cold temperatures devastate struggling families across the city and county.
St Vincent De Paul (SVP) South-West, based on Tuckey Street in Cork city, said double fuel deliveries may be required this week by those it assists, putting massive additional pressure on the charity’s resources.
January brings increased calls for assistance to SVP as schools return and families and the elderly struggle with the ongoing high cost of living. However, the current extreme weather has dramatically magnified this need and the volume of such calls has greatly increased, said the charity.
This increase is putting additional strain on SVP resources and the organisation is reaching out to the people of Cork to help support those less fortunate at this time of extreme need.
SVP South-West’s Regional President, Mary Frances Behan, said the charity is under enormous pressure and made a fresh appeal to the Cork public to donate to the society and to support this year’s car draw.
“We have been flooded with calls for help and support over the last week. The recent extreme weather conditions have had a catastrophic impact on families and people in need who were already struggling to make ends meet,” said Ms Behan.
“We have advised our local conferences that it may be necessary to double fuel assistance (coal, blocks, oil, gas) for this week to those receiving it to help them to heat their homes during such adverse conditions,” she added.
The added expense of Christmas, in addition to consistently high food, energy, and utility costs is too much to cope with for those already on their knees, continued Ms Behan.
Those wishing to help are asked to donate to SVP today. SVP’s largest fundraiser, the Annual Car Draw Appeal, is the primary and most critical source of funds for the charity.
Tickets and free post return envelopes delivered to every household in Cork can still be returned with donations and there is also the option of buying tickets online. Tickets for the raffle cost €5 each, a bundle of five tickets costs €20, and these can be purchased online at svp.ie/cardraw24.
Ms Behan continued: “The public has always been extremely generous to the society here in Cork.
“We are consistently humbled and gratified by the support the car draw receives every year and we are extremely grateful for all tickets purchased or donations received.
“The funds raised from the annual car draw are vital to enable us to help as many people as possible,” she added.
The first prize in this year’s Annual Car Draw Appeal will be a brand-new Ford Focus. In addition to this there will be six other cash prizes.
The draw will take on next Wednesday 15 January at Cork City Ford Centre, with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle in attendance. Details of the winners will be published on SVP.ie.