A Portadown charity aimed at supporting the most vulnerable in society have issued an urgent appeal for temporary work space on the approach to their busiest time of year.
Portadown Cares – which “helps local people help themselves” – recently relocated to a new unit near their former site at High Street Mall to allow for “exciting changes” at the town’s prominent retail centre.
However, the move meant a loss of space and they now find themselves without room to “pack or distribute” Christmas hampers over the coming months.
Every year, the charity “puts Christmas dinner on the table and presents under the tree” for local families who would otherwise financially struggle to afford the costly customary celebrations.
Said Portadown Cares: “Our food hampers are the full ingredients for Christmas Day, and our toy packs make sure every child has a few gifts to open.
“All our referrals come through Social Services, GPs, schools, Health Visitors, SureStart, community groups, youth clubs, Women’s Aid, etc… the need is real and local.”
To help ensure the same level of Christmas support, the group are asking for the use of a temporary unit.
They added: “Do you have an empty shop, warehouse, office floor, church/club hall or business premises we could use?”
The space will be needed, ideally, from December 1 – 23 plus a few days post-Christmas or early New Year for “clear-up”.
It should also have ground-floor access, space for tables and racking, a few power sockets, toilets if possible, and short-term day and night access for volunteers and referral partners. However, the charity will be flexible if all of the requirements cannot be met.
And, in return, they are offering to “shout about your support across our channels, in local press releases and on signage, and provide a certificate of thanks for your premises”.
Anyone in a position to offer a suitable space to Portadown Cares should make contact directly through their social media platforms or via email to info@portadowncares.org.
