Rape Crisis Centre hope fundraiser will alleviate waiting list
THE Sligo Rape Crisis Centre is hoping that their first ever fundraising ball will help raise some of the funds required to deliver their services to everybody who needs them in the Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan areas.
The Gatsby Ball fundraiser takes place at the Clayton Hotel on Friday, September 28th in association with JoAnne Neary of Bloomin Fabulous Vintage Tea Parties and the Clayton.
In 2017, the Sligo Rape Crisis Centre provided 1389 face-toface counselling sessions, but there is now a waiting list for those looking to avail of counselling.
It is hoped that any funds raised from this event can go towards alleviating that waiting list as much as possible.
“This is our first ever fund-raising ball which we hope will be an annual event. It is being sponsored by the Clayton Hotel and many other local sponsors without whom the event would not be possible,” explained Trish Flynn, CEO of the Rape Crisis Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre, Sligo, Leitrim and west Cavan.
Fundraising is becoming increasingly important for the centre. It is hoped that one big annual event, such as the Gatsby Ball, rather than a number of smaller events, would not only raise funds, but also raise awareness of the centre and its services.
Trish explained: “Without our own fundraising events, we would not be able to provide the level of service which we currently offer within the Sligo Leitrim and West Cavan area. We are immensely grateful for the on-going support of TUSLA the child and family agency who fund our core service.
“Most of our outreach and volunteering work is supported through our own fundraising efforts, and through the generosity of our local community .
“We would prefer if we could rely on one big event in the year as we feel that it will focus our resources more and enable us to have a bigger impact. Also we recognise that people have a lot of calls of their philanthropy and we would like people to feel that they can be part of something that really makes a difference.”
More and more people are coming to the Rape Crisis Centre seeking help.
But, the resources are just not available in the centre, and so there is a waiting list for those seeking help.
“We have doubled our service delivery in the last 12 months. People are a little less afraid to seek help and it is this courage that enables us to give hope to our clients, and to help them to move on with their lives through the trauma.
“There is a waiting list because, put simply, we do not currently have the resources we require to deliver our services to everybody who needs them in the Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan areas.
“We are going to be conducting a needs analysis within the area to enable us to provide for future service requirements in the area.”
Trish says that without the goodwill of others, the delivery of services just would not be possible.
“We would not be able to deliver the service we do without the continuing support and dedication of our specially qualified and experienced volunteers. We rely heavily and consistently on the good will of others.”
The Rape Crisis Centre offers clients group support and therapy as well as the one to one counselling experience, when they are ready to move on. The service is free however the waiting list currently stands at several months.
If your situation is urgent however, don’t hesitate to call the helpline number on 1800 750780 as there will always be somebody available to respond to your call within a reasonable time period.
Tickets to the ball are available from the Clayton Hotel directly or through the Rape Crisis Centre on 0863880515.
There is a special offer available for groups of 10 people at a table.