White Christmas for Rape Crisis Centre fundraiser
IT’S going to be a white Christmas thanks to the Wexford Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre which is holding a major fundraising drive during the month of December and needs volunteers help out with a bucket collection in Wexford, Gorey and New Ross on December 21.
It’s the second year of the White Christmas Appeal in aid of the centre which provides counselling services in the county’s four main towns for adult and adolescent victims of sexual violence, both male and female.
Last year, members of An Garda Siochána, the Men’s Shed and the Order of Malta generously provided assistance with the bucket collections along with members of the public and local community groups.
Centre manager Clare Williams is hoping for a good turnout of volunteers for this year’s collections taking place on the streets of Wexford , Gorey and New Ross throughout the day on Friday, December 21. Anyone who can help out in one of the towns even for an hour or two, is asked to contact fundraising@wexfordrapecrisis.com.
Organisations including offices, factories, clubs and schools are also encouraged to get into the spirit of the festive season by holding fundraisers for the centre on their premises during December, wearing something white to mark the occasion, and posting photos and videos on social media if they wish.
The Christmas fundraiser is being organised in conjunction with South East Radio. To register your involvement, email whitechristmas@ southeastradio.ie. To donate money to the Wexford Rape Crisis Credit Union Account, use the following number 43659/E,BIC:WECUIE21, IBAN: IEI8WECU99214445043659 in any bank or credit union branch.
White Christmas aims to raise awareness of the Rape Crisis Centre while raising money for the service which has been experiencing a record demand for counselling during the past five years. Over 100 people have contacted the centre for counselling this year alone.
The Rape Crisis Centre provides counselling by qualified and accredited practitioners for the survivors of sexual violence, rape, childhood sexual abuse and sexual harassment in a private, safe, sensitive and non-judgemental environment. Services are available in Wexford, Enniscorthy, Gorey and New Ross.
It offers one to one counselling for women, men and adolescents who have been affected by any type of sexual violence (verbal or physical).
Counselling is also provided for people who are supporting survivors of sexual violence, e.g. a mother, sister or partner. Other services include court accompaniment, Garda accompaniment and assistance with victim impact statements. The Wexford Rape Crisis Centre is a registered charity and support and information is available by calling the free phone number 1800 330033.