A LOCAL initiative hoping to bring some Christmas cheer to older people and families is appealing for donations to ensure it can support as many people as possible this festive season.
The appeal is being organised by the online Clare Free to a Good Home community, with founder Ennis’ Tina Whelan saying “We just want to give people a lift and are grateful for any donations, the more we raise the better.
“Something which might seem very small to one person, is something very big to somebody else.”
This is the third year that the project has been undertaken by Clare Free to a Good Home, a social media group which allows people to donate unwanted items to others.
Last year the fundraiser supported making the Christmas dreams come true for five Clare families, with even more families receiving donations of turkeys and hams among other items.
This year there is a particular focus on helping older people this year, with Tina saying, “We are conscious there are still a lot of people out there, especially the elderly who are not coping great at the moment and we just want to do something to be able to look after them a bit this Christmas.
“There a lot of people out there on their own who don’t have a family and we just want to be able to let them have a Christmas dinner.
“For example we know of one elderly lady who has lost her husband due to Covid-19 and we are trying to help look after her a little bit.
“We are planning to cover Christmas groceries, but we also want to cover table settings and if we have any spare money left over, particularly for the elderly, we want to be able to give them maybe vouchers for the hairdressers, or vouchers for lunch so they can have a hot meal.”
Recalling how the initiative first began, Tina explained, “It kind of came about organically through Clare Free to a Good Home. We were aware of a few families who needed some items and we said, let’s see if we can do something.
“This is our third year going this and we raise a few bob. Last year we covered five families for everything they needed, turkey, ham, crackers, you name it. Then we covered another 15 with turkeys and hams and things for breakfast.
“Every penny donated goes to the families, the week of Christmas we get about ten trolleys and we go to Tesco and just fill them up and do big hampers for the families.”
Many of the families who receive donations are nominated by others, with Tina saying, “There is an awful lot of pressure out there for families when it comes to Christmas and we are aware of the situations for those who we help.”
She adds it is “just amazing” to see the smiles on people’s faces when they find out they are going to receive help at a time of strained finances.
“Usually we call them and tell them to come up we have some extra stuff. But they have no idea what is happening until they get here.
“They arrive and it’s like ‘what?’, it really is fantastic to be able to give people a lift like that. I remember one of the five families we helped last year, when they arrived they were just ‘oh my God’ and I said to them, ‘go big or go home’,” she smiles.
While the donations are very gratefully received, Tina said what is even more special, particularly for the older people, is the connection they make.
“It’s fantastic to be able to call to them and have a chat with them, ask them how they are going and what they need.
“Some of these elderly people are on their own and it can be lonely for them so it’s great when they have that bit of company when we deliver items.
“This isn’t just about helping them with Christmas dinner, it’s about engaging with them, calling to say hello, that’s what it’s all about.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to make financial donations to the appeal, while the group are also accepting new toys, non-perishable food and health care items such as baby care products and other necessary items. Vouchers for Tesco can also be donated.
“We’ve already had some donations of non-perishable food which is great and we will be giving them out but the GoFundMe is so that we are able to cover families and the elderly from top to toe this Christmas.
“I’d like to express our appreciation to those who have donated in the past, and also those who have donated to this appeal, they’re absolutely amazing. In times like this good people always stand up to be counted, and they don’t look for any credit.
“We always find when the chips are down for others the absolute goodness comes out of people.”
Donations to the appeal can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ClareFree