Salvation Army in Northern Ireland Launch Family Appeal 2023

published on 23 Nov 2023

The Salvation Army in Northern Ireland has launched its Family Appeal for Christmas 2023 with help from stars from Glentoran Football Club, who provided a helping hand to ‘kick off’ the appeal.

The Family Appeal has been running for over 43 years and hopes to help many families struggling to provide gifts for children at Christmas.

Members of Glentoran Football Club with Salvation Army Officers holding Christmas toys in gift bags. — David Fisher, Major Jacqueline Wright, Colonel Neil Webb, Major Keira Wood, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and Warren Feeney.

Volunteers within our club have been running the Glentoran Christmas Appeal for the homeless and local families for nearly a decade, so we are delighted to be involved in this initiative from the Salvation Army.

Director of Glentoran FC, Ian Clarke

The campaign aims to support those who need it most, and with the costs of living increasing, demand for support from this year’s appeal is expected to be at a record high. The Family Appeal has grown rapidly over the years with the support from a range of partners including Tesco, Bridge Commercials and many more.
Last year The Salvation Army appeal, along with other donors, helped over 2500 families (more than 5200 children) across the province.

This is a time of extreme hardship for a rapidly increasing section of our communities, so it is increasingly important that particularly at Christmas those among us who can help bring comfort and joy to others take every opportunity to do so.

Director of Glentoran FC, Ian Clarke

The Family Appeal mainly relies on the general public to ‘Be A Star’ and donate gifts as well as volunteers who work at Salvation Army churches on arranged days. New and unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at all Salvation Army churches and centres across Northern Ireland, as well as some Tesco stores until December 15.

Members of the public and businesses are also encouraged to make a donation online through the JustGiving page, whether you wish to donate towards craft items, books, family board games or gifts for teenagers, all donations are gratefully received.

Applications for support are primarily made to The Salvation Army through social workers, health visitors, schoolteachers and other professionals. Then the process begins, enabling The Salvation Army to provide help where needed.

We want to reach out to the people who are suffering the most by bringing joy and hope into their lives this Christmas. We rely mainly on gifts donated by the general public as well as our partners and donors, we really could not do this without their help. We have every confidence that this year’s appeal will be a success because the people of Northern Ireland have generous and loving hearts.

Colonel Neil Webb, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army in Northern Ireland

For further information visit the Family Appeal page, call (028) 9067 5000 or email familyappeal@salvationarmy.org.uk.

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