Buy a house to help charity
Restoring a wooden doll’s house which she found in a charity shop has been a labour of love for 22 year old Blathnaid Nic Suibhne from Knockbridge, who is now selling it to raise funds for the Fr McVerry Trust.
‘I happened upon a traditional wooden Doll’s House in the pop-up charity shop at the Long Walk Shopping Centre a number of weeks ago,’ she explains. ‘ The house was sound and on closer inspection, it told the story of a forgotten project which stood in somebody’s attic awaiting some TLC.’
Having previously worked in a furniture upcycling shop and having enjoyed crafting as far back as she could remember, Blathnaid decided to restore the beautiful piece in the run up to Christmas with the intention of raising awareness of homelessness and funds for the Peter McVerry Trust.
To complete the renovations on the house, Blathnaid gathered a range of craft materials and got to work.
The newly restored property features a hand-crafted ‘Bumblebee Yellow’ kitchen (made of Tic-Tac boxes), handstitched curtains to compliment the theme of each room, and checkerboard flooring which she created using a technique in chalk-painting called ‘stippling.’
Blathnaid says she decided to put the house up for sale to raise funds for the Peter McVerry Trust as it’s a charity which her family has supported down the years.
‘On a bitterly cold winter’s day, the elements have a way of work- ing their way into my consciousness and remind me of the many privileges I am blessed with in my own life - privileges I often take for granted - and I am urged to spare a thought for those who struggle,’ she explains. ‘ The Doll’s House is of course symbolic of home-life; the physical protection provided by a roof over our heads and the nurturing environment contributed by the
people who make a house a home. For these reasons, I nominated the Peter McVerry Trust as the charity I would like to support this Christmas.’
The charity reaches out to those affected by homelessness, social disadvantage and drug misuse all over Ireland. This year a regional office for the Trust opened on Laurence St, Drogheda to serve communities in Louth, Meath and Monaghan.
The house is on display in Coffee Time of Park St, and was also on exhibition at the Frostival Market last weekend. ‘I am accepting offers from anybody who would like to surprise a loved one with a truly special gift,’ says Blathnaid. ‘I know this doll’s house will appeal to a child, a collector or a retailer on the look out for a bespoke piece to incorporate into a window display. All funds raised from the highest offer will go to the Peter McVerry Trust. There is a collection box in Coffee Time should anyone wish to make a donation in place of an offer on the house.’ Blathnaid is accepting bids on he house until December 20th, and can be contacted at 0862498118 or blathnaidsweeney@gmail.com.