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by Michelle Crean

With fundraising decimated from the devastating impact of COVID-19 - one Kerry charity is calling for the public's support. Recovery Haven Kerry is calling on businesses and individuals to become 'Friends of Recovery Haven' and make them their charity of choice by making a one-off donation or weekly contribution via standing order to help stabilise their finances in 2021 and beyond.

The weekly amount is completely at the person’s discretion, but for those who choose to donate a minimum of €5 per week (or €250 per annum) the Revenue Commissioners operate a Charitable Donation Scheme which sees Recovery Haven receive an additional €112.33 from that donation.

Equally, if a company opts to donate €250 or more in a year, that company can claim a tax deduction, as if the donation was a trading expense. There is a four-year time limit for making a claim under the scheme.

In 2020 the charity provided free support services to 683 individuals, which included 660 counselling sessions and 826 attendances at their classes, groups and support programmes.

According to Recovery Haven Kerry manager, Siobhan MacSweeney, the aim of the scheme is to ensure a steady source of income in these uncertain times when most planned fundraising efforts have ground to a halt indefinitely.

“Over the past 10 years, the financial support we have received from the people of Kerry and beyond has been wonderful, and for that we thank them sincerely. But with the future still so unsure due to COVID-19, charities across the board are looking at new ways to help secure a steady income and we hope this new scheme will help us do that.

“This is an extremely challenging time for charities everywhere, so if people are in a position to support our 'Friends of Recovery Haven' scheme and help us continue to offer vital support to cancer patients and their families across Kerry, we would be so grateful,” she said.

To register phone 066 7169055/087 7657742 or email: marisa@recoveryhavenkerry.com, or download the forms at www.recoveryhavenkerry.com.