FAMILIES IN DUBLIN are  today being asked to give any unwanted presents received over Christmas to those in need.

Staff at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral has made space at the crib available to take in any unwanted gifts, such as clothing, hats, scarves, toiletries or DVDs.

The unwanted gifts will taken into storage by Crosscare – the social care agency of the Dublin Diocese – who will distribute them as gifts to people in their homeless and residential projects for Christmas 2013.

Last year, Crosscare was able to store hundreds of gifts for this Christmas and had as many left over to distribute in their Blanchardstown shop, raising funds which were used throughout the 2012.

Fr Damian O Reilly, administrator at the Pro Cathedral, said despite efforts not to waste money in these difficult times, it is most likely that “hundreds of presents will languish unwanted in the bottom of wardrobes for the next 12 months”. He asked that families consider what they really want or need, and pass on any unwanted presents to charity.

O Reilly said staff at the Cathedral were consistently taken aback by the generosity of people: “What started off as a simple appeal five years ago has grown into a really significant effort,” he said.

He said he was very conscious of the constraints on all families in the present climate, but suggested that donations were a way to support those most in need in a relatively inexpensive manner.

People can leave their unwanted gifts at the crib in St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral from now until 6th January. Opening hours for the Cathedral are available on www.dublindiocese.ie