Campaign underway to raise funds for Christmas parties for children in direct provision centres in Cork 

AN annual fundraising effort has raised €4,000 of its €10,000 goal to give children in direct provision centres a better Christmas.

Every year, volunteers organise Christmas parties for families in the 11 direct provision centres in Co Cork, and raise money for presents.

Most parents and guardians in direct provision have next-to-no resources, and the centres where they live are isolated from local communities, making it difficult for the residents to integrate.

With the money, the 400+ children in centres in Cork will have a present of their choice.

Volunteer Sinéad Mulry said: “The public’s funding enables us to buy the vouchers per child/family, make up Santa sacks for each child in the DP centres, order food and beverages for each party, help pay for entertainment such as the balloon man Aaron, make payment for transport to and from centres, and buy some more entertainment if we have enough funds.”

She also explained how much behind-the-scenes work goes into the fundraiser.

“Without the volunteers and the funding received from the public, UCC societies or different companies/organisations in Cork, we wouldn’t be able to hold the DP Christmas parties,” she said.

“The volunteers help us set up the different centres with Christmas decorations, face painting, pack up and buy the gifts for the Santa sacks, photography, and entertainment for the children, but, most importantly, the volunteers help spread joy to the children in the centres.”

Explaining why this work is necessary, she said: “What needs to be addressed is the lack of funding that goes towards DP centres. The purpose of direct provision is to meet the needs of those awaiting judgments on their requests for international protection.”

“The DP Christmas parties provide a sense of joy and enjoyment for everyone in the centres.”

• Donate at www.gofundme.com/f/children-in-direct-provision-centres-cork.