I feel like my children are privileged, they have lots of support and got the right start in life. Barnardos does that for other children, that’s why I fundraise.
BARNARDOS FUNDRAISER RACHEL Nolan explained that when she heard about the work of Barnardos – it really struck a chord and as a mum of three she felt the need to get involved.
Rachel’s first fundraiser was a coffee morning and over the past two years she has organised craft days and demonstrations.
“It’s just been wonderful to see how willing people are to get involved when you ask. So many times we just don’t ask.
There’s such a lovely buzz of people wanting to help other people – especially when it’s for children.
“It’s kind of like with the ice-bucket challenge, you just need to put it out there and have some awareness and I’ve always found that people are more than happy to help when you ask them.”
Rachel’s next fundraiser is a Christmas fair in the Stillorgan Park Hotel on November 20.
Living in poverty
Barnardos Chief Executive, Fergus Finlay, said: “Today, across Ireland, one child in 10 is living in consistent poverty.
Behind that awful statistic there is a little boy or girl in your community who is going to bed cold, or waking up and going to school hungry.
“Over the last few years, pressure on Barnardos services has become more intense while demand for Barnardos help is greater than ever.”
Barnardos has a vision of an Ireland “where childhood is valued and all children and young people are cherished equally.”
The children’s charity says that, “by giving of your time you will make a difference in a vulnerable child’s life and will be helping us to achieve our vision”.
This September, Barnardos is also looking for hundreds of volunteers for the Buckets for Barnardos National Collection Day on Friday September 19, you can sign up here or e-mail buckets@barnardos.ie.
Finlay added, “I urge everyone to join us and volunteer just two hours of their time to help change children’s lives.”
The charity is also starting to run a literary improvement programme in five primary schools in Dublin.
The Wizard of Words will match a child with a mature adult volunteer aged 55 or over who will provide one to one reading help – two or three times a week – during school hours.
Other Supports
Barnardos runs about 40 family support centres across Ireland for families who are experiencing difficulties.
Volunteers work alongside staff to provide services such as breakfast clubs, pre-school services, parent and toddler groups, after school services, summer programmes and homework groups.
The charity also has a volunteer operated bereavement helpline service based in Dublin.
In 2013, Barnardos had 274 volunteers within shops and services and more than 300 volunteers who supported with fundraising activities.
Volunteers also help with the Barnardos shops and warehouse.
Without the generosity of volunteers we would not be able to reach the children who need our support.
To become a volunteer, you can download the form on its website here.
You will then be informed if the charity has a volunteer opportunity available for you and your details will be held on file for future opportunities if there’s no volunteer opportunity available immediately.
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