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Funding down but demand for food up – say SVdD volunteers

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MEETING DEMAND: Volunteers with St Vincent de Paul Killarney Conference say there's a huge demand for food hampers this year. Pictured were: Mike Riordan, Niall Keogh, Liz Ryan, Jackie Foley, Brendan Joy, Dymphna Horgan and Breda Dwyer. Photo: Michelle Crean

 

By Michelle Crean

With funding decimated and a huge increase in families seeking assistance as a result of COVID this year the St Vincent de Paul (SVdD) is urging the public to help.

As volunteers prepare hundreds of hampers for the vulnerable in Killarney and surrounds, the Killarney Conference is expecting a massive demand on their services.

Speaking this week to the Killarney Advertiser, President of the local conference Breda Dwyer said that 2020 "is the toughest year" the service has experienced to date.

Not alone have they lost out on church gate collections - including the annual Christmas one - their biggest of the year usually runs the second weekend of December - but more families are in dire straights due to the loss of jobs or reduction in hours.

In recent weeks SVdP has sent out 6,000 envelopes to homes across the town and are asking people to give a generous donation to help raise the funds to fill the food hampers which will be distributed to their clients in need.

The service - which has also felt the loss of revenue with their charity shop closed in both the first and second lockdown - will also help by providing food vouchers, coal or oil to those who cannot afford it.

"It's our toughest year," Breda told the Killarney Advertiser this week.
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"Our main aim is to help people who are in poverty. Our church gate collection, that's our biggest fundraiser of the year but that won't be going ahead this year. That's an awful lot of fundraising we won't have this year. Our funds are down substantially and we're making a special appeal to people to please support SVdP as the needs of people have increased."

Volunteer Niall Keogh added that not only do they provide food and other provisions but can monitor those who need additional services like mental health.

However, due to COVID, calling in and just sitting and chatting to clients isn't possible this year.
"We can't call and sit down and have a chat. We can't access their mental health needs."
Anyone who needs support in any way should call 064 6634021 or 087 7718200. "They can leave a message and a volunteer will get back to them," he said.

And the service is also seeking more volunteers, anyone who'd like to give a hand can contact them on the numbers above.

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HeartBeat to host Advanced Healthcare Directive information night

Anne O’Shea Clarke, Regional Manager of SAGE Advocacy Mid & South West Regions, will provide a comprehensive explanation of the process involved in properly creating an Advanced Healthcare Directive (AHD) […]

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Anne O’Shea Clarke, Regional Manager of SAGE Advocacy Mid & South West Regions, will provide a comprehensive explanation of the process involved in properly creating an Advanced Healthcare Directive (AHD) on Tuesday, April 29, starting at 8pm in the Parish Centre, Park Road.

An ADH is a document which sets out your instructions in relation to healthcare treatments in the future, when you no longer have the capacity to decide. AHDs are not solely relevant to older individuals. Young adults can also significantly benefit from putting these directives in place for themselves or when assisting loved ones. Attendees will gain valuable ‘Knowledge is Power; regarding legal and personal matters
The meeting will specifically look at two key application forms: the standard AHD Form and the Think Ahead / my form.
Prior to the main meeting, a Blood Pressure. and Pulse Clinic will be available from 7:15pm until 8:00pm sharp. Following O’Shea Clarke’s presentation, there will be a Question & Answer session, followed by tea and coffee.
SAGE Advocacy, the national service for older people, works to ensure access to information, support, and independent advocacy, while also providing safeguarding services across various settings, including homes, day centres, hospitals, and nursing homes.
They also support vulnerable adults and healthcare patients in situations where other services may not be available.
For further information, email anne.osheaclarke@sageadvocacy.ie or visit www.sageadvocacy.ie.

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Singer-songwriter Lillie Foley releases second single

Local singer-songwriter Lillie Foley, from Whitebridge Manor, has released her second single of 2025, titled ‘That’s Life’, on all major streaming platforms. ‘That’s Life’ is described as a powerful blend […]

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Local singer-songwriter Lillie Foley, from Whitebridge Manor, has released her second single of 2025, titled ‘That’s Life’, on all major streaming platforms.

‘That’s Life’ is described as a powerful blend of pop and soul music, drawing on Foley’s own life experiences. The track marks a further step in the promising career of the emerging local artist.
Recorded at the renowned Windmill Lane Recording Studios in Dublin, ‘That’s Life’ showcases Foley’s emotive lyrics, soulful vocals, and a sound that is both modern and deeply personal. Collaborating with music producer and audio engineer Hermann Ogulla, Foley has crafted a song that blends her Irish background with contemporary musical styles, aiming to resonate with listeners in Ireland,and beyond.
Foley said: “This is a song about resilience and accepting that bad things happen in life and we just have to get on with it and move on as best we can.”
‘That’s Life’ is the second of several songs Foley has planned for release in 2025.

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