The Dandara Group has again committed its support to an appeal aimed at ensuring those in need in the Isle of Man are able to celebrate Christmas.
Every year, the Salvation Army supports hundreds of Island families and individuals with food parcels, toys and gifts to try and ensure the festive celebrations are not denied to anyone.
Demand for the charity’s Christmas appeal continues to grow, with 1,600 people receiving support last year, including food and toys handed to hundreds of families. It is anticipated a similar number will be helped this year.
Dandara backed the Salvation Army’s efforts in 2015 and this year has increased its financial support. The firm’s donation will be used to provide food for the festive meal the charity hosts at the Citadel in Douglas on Boxing Day, as well as to buy toys, gifts and chocolates to supplement donations from the public, all to be distributed in time for Christmas.
It will also meet the cost of the 400 metres of wrapping paper – enough to go completely around the National Sports Centre running track – the Salvation Army will use this Christmas.
Captain Simon Clampton of the Salvation Army said: ‘In recent years we have seen the number of families and people we are asked to assist in the Isle of Man growing, putting additional demands on the support we can offer. It can never be right for anyone to go hungry, especially at Christmas, and no parent should be unable to give their child a simple festive gift, so we are working even harder to meet the increasing need for help.
‘While there continues to be huge public support for our Christmas appeal, with donations of toys, gifts and money, the growing demand for our help means there can be a gap between what is needed and what we receive from the public.
‘That makes the generosity of Dandara in providing this donation so vitally important. This gift means that we will be able to make many more toys and gifts available to families this Christmas, as well as being able to meet the full cost of providing a Christmas meal on Boxing Day for people who are referred to us, including those who are alone or vulnerable.
‘The donation from Dandara in 2015 made such a huge difference to what we could do for those in need in the Island at Christmas, and we are overwhelmed that the company has not only continued to support us but also increased its gift. This will make such a significant difference to so many people, helping us to spread some Christmas cheer right across the Island.’
Dandara Managing Director Seamus Nugent added: ‘It is a sad reality that more and more families here in the Isle of Man need to rely on the charitable work of organisations like the Salvation Army to enjoy the simple things many of us take for granted at Christmas.
‘While for most this is a time of celebration, for an increasing number it can be a time of hardship and loneliness, and it is thanks to the work of charities including the Salvation Army that these people in our community are not forgotten and do share in the spirit of the season.
‘The Salvation Army is doing such vital work and if our contribution helps make Christmas a little happier for those in need, then we are honoured to be able to assist.’
Photo - (from left) Dandara Group Marketing Manager Angela Beresford, Captain Simon Clampton of the Salvation Army and Joanna Orton, Marketing Director at Dandara
