Fold's Family Support Appeal

Fold Housing Association is helping families in need in communities they work through their Family Support Christmas Appeal.

Eileen Patterson, Fold''s Director of Housing said, ''Fold''s Family Support Christmas Appeal aims to help those most in need. Our staff and residents across Northern Ireland have donated toys and gifts for children and young people and non-perishable foods for Christmas Hampers.

She added, ''In our role as a social landlord, we have become increasingly aware of the difficulties that some families living in our communities are having to face as they feel the impacts of their incomes reducing and the cost of living increasing.We are in daily contact with families who will struggle to afford not only toys and presents for Christmas, but also food. For many families in need, Christmas can be a time of added worry and we have seen how often they feel they have no option but seek help from Food Banks and door step lenders. We are working in partnership with established community groups such as the Upper Springfield Resource Centre, Mid Shankill Residents Association and Carnhill Resource Centre, Derry-Londonderry to distribute these toys and hampers to families in need."

Tommy Holland, Coordinator of Upper Springfield Resource Centre said, ''It is great working with Fold Housing Association and we would like to thank their staff, residents and supporters for their generosity.Christmas can be a difficult time for many families and it is comforting to think that others spare a thought for people struggling in our local communities.''

Fold''s Housing Team will be handing over the hampers on Monday 15 December - Upper Springfield Resource Centre; Friday 19 December - Mid Shankill Residents Association and Carnill Resource Centre, Derry-Londonderry.

Pictured above: Fearghal and Illias, from Fold''s Housing Team with just some of the hampers they have been packing up for distribution in local communities.