FUNDRAISER IS A HUGE HIT

WEXFORD People Helping People held a very successful fundraiser at the Riverbank House Hotel last week raising €1,279.15.

This money will be used to help fund the Christmas dinner for the homeless, alone and those in need this Christmas Day in St Joseph’s Community Centre.

The money raised will also provide homeless people with sleeping bags, tents and food.

On the night the Riverbank Hotel donated the room free of charge while musicians Vagabond, Hot Rod Hearse, Natty Wailer and Mandy J, Rachel Grace and Kermie also gave their services. MC for the event was Tina Dunbar from Enniscorthy.

Gary O’ Brien, Wexford People Helping People committee member, said they have received great support from people in the lead up to the event.

‘The support we’ve had over the past few weeks has been unbelievable and this can make a change to people’s lives. We want to keep this group running on a day to day basis in future. We can achieve this due to the generosity we’ve received from members of the public.

‘Wexford People Helping People is about people who are experiencing problems due to the economic downturn and austerity. These problems stem from low income, high private rent rates, shortage of public housing and unlivable conditions due to damp, mould etc. A whole host of other examples can also be added including job loss, medical expenses, sickness, separation, delayed social welfare payments and loss of essential services such as electricity and water in which thousands have experienced recently.’

He said the group is still looking for volunteers to help out at the Christmas Day dinner.

Gary also thanked those who donated, small local businesses who sponsored and those who helped over the past few weeks in organising events.

Nikki O’ Brien, Christine Bailey and Gail McMahon hosted a raffle on the night with 22 prizes up for grabs.

Thanks were also extended to Trax who provided sound equipment, Declan Reck who managed the event and organized corporate sponsorship, sound engineers James Donegan and David Donegan and staff at hotel.

The organisers of the night; Christine Daly, Gail McMahon, Nikki O’Brien, Gary O’Brien, Declan Reck, Stephen Bailey and Bianca O’Grady at the fundraiser for Christmas dinner ‘Wexford People Helping People’ in the Riverbank House Hotel.

Ellie Simmons and Tina Guerin.

Angie Whelan, Mary Keenan, Angeline McDonald and Angela Feeney.

Bianca O’Grady and Tanya Murphy.

Joe Maynard and Karen Cousins.

Nadine O’Brien and Corey Farrell.

Sinead Finn and Orla Reilly from New Ross.

Lynda Bergin and Maggie Browne.