A Newry man who fundraises for struggling families on the run up to Christmas has massively exceeded this year’s target – with the help of a single £10k donation.
Ernie Campbell and his father, Mickey, who are now in their eighth year of fundraising, set a target of £20k each year with the aim of buying 1,000 toys for children and families within the care system and providing approximately 100 families with turkey and ham for Christmas dinners.
True philanthropists, their outreach work extends beyond Christmas support with the provision of some 300 sleeping bags to keep Ireland’s homeless population warm in the coldest winter months.
But, as Ernie told Armagh I: “It’s all down to the people. Without them it’s just me and my father standing on the streets with our hands in our pockets.”
As it stands the pair have now raised almost £400,000 in that eight year period.
However, 2024 will undoubtedly go down as a year to remember in his fundraising history books!
Not only will Ernie once again be able to provide all he promises, thanks to overwhelming public support and continued generosity of local businesses, but he received “the biggest donation I ever received” from personal trainer, Sean Casey.
Viral internet sensation, Sean (24) – from Banbridge – made an extremely generous £10,000 donation to the cause on the evening of Tuesday, December 3.
No stranger to the Campbells, Sean had got involved with their project last year when two young brothers tragically lost their only parent.
Sean put money towards their electric and oil bills and even helped cover the cost of their mother’s funeral.
Describing him as an “incredibly humble man”, Ernie explained how this year’s contribution came about: “I messaged him about something totally different and he said he would do a fundraiser at the weekend and would have a ‘couple of pound’ for us on Monday.
“Then he messaged when he put the money in but I hadn’t my glasses on and I thought it was £1,000 initially and at that I couldn’t believe it!
“But when I put my glasses on and saw it was £10,000 I was blown away!
“I said to Sean last night I wish he could understand what he has done.”
Ernie also works closely with The Make A Wish Foundation which seeks to make terminally ill children’s biggest dreams a reality.
This money, he says, could help make a least three children’s “dying wishes come true” in 2025.
A large portion will also go towards the purchase of additional sleeping bags and pop-up tents which will make their way to the streets of Dublin in January.
The donation has given Ernie a huge boost, but ultimately, he expressed a sincere sense of pride in what the local community, donors and people like Sean have managed to achieve.
He said: “There’s no better feeling on Christmas morning sitting on the back step with a cup of tea and you realise there’s 1000 kids opening presents that wouldn’t have got one otherwise.
“It’s unbelievable. A lot of people say they will help or giving something but Sean never promised anything. He just delivered.”
Ernie and Mickey’s ‘Mission Santa’ appeal will officially close to donations on Friday evening (December 6) to allow time for the purchase and distribution of toys and supplies.
Every penny contributed will be used to extend the outreach work as far as possible with over 900 children now guaranteed to receive at least one present each.
