Oxfam Ireland thanks the people of County Antrim

2009 was certainly a tough year as we all battled the recession. Oxfam Ireland felt these difficult times too and I would like to thank all those donors, volunteers and shoppers at Oxfam Ballymena who supported us throughout the previous 12 months.

However, as harsh as these economic times might be for us here in Ireland, the difficulties facing the people of East Africa are far more brutal. There is a major food crisis putting up to 30 million lives at risk due to severe recurring drought and skyrocketing food prices with maize and bean prices having risen by as much as 170 per cent.

Which is why we need your help now as much as ever, if we are to continue supporting our partners working on the ground to fight chronic hunger, poverty and injustice. Keep supporting us and together we can make a huge difference – for example, on average we can raise 50 from one bag of donated clothes that you give us.

So rather than let unwanted Christmas gifts simply gather dust in the back of your wardrobe, bring them to your nearest Oxfam Ireland shop. Or why not contribute the older items that you will no longer use, now that you have your new Christmas presents as replacements? One pair of shoes can be sold to buy 5 bags of seeds to enable people in Uganda to grow and sell their own crops.

Rather than just the 12 days of Christmas, let’s extend the season of giving and goodwill to all, but especially to those who need it most. Shopping at Oxfam helps make the world a better place, but we need the stock to make that happen, through the support of your generous donations. Here’s hoping you can help. Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Trevor Anderson

Head of Retail, Oxfam Ireland