Edenderry SVP wants women to run

The Society of St Vincent de Paul in Edenderry is appealing to local women who plan to take part in the Ladies Mini Marathon in June to pick their local SVP branch as their chosen charity. All funds raised will go directly to helping people in the Edenderry area, who are experiencing poverty, loneliness and despair here in the local community during these hard times. The Edenderry Branch of the SVP has been helping local people in a quiet and dignified way since 1931 and cover Edenderry, Carbury, Derrinturn, Clonbullogue, Rhode, Croghan, Clogherinkoe and surrounding areas. The current economic climate and hard winter has left the local branch very low on funds and although local people have always been amongst the most generous in Ireland, unfortunately the demand on resources is greater now than ever before. "You are not just giving money, you are giving hope," said SVP Edenderry President Rory O'Kennedy. In Edenderry there are 15 volunteers who are devoted to helping the local community and meet every Monday night at 7.30pm in the parish centre. The demands are greater than ever. Calls to Regional Offices are up an average of 35% compared to this time last year. Over the last year the Edenderry branch of the SVP have helped the local community in a variety of ways; through direct financial support, providing food vouchers, direct intervention with energy providers or helping individuals and families cope with unexpected burdens such as the loss of employment, illness or death. "All visitations are conducted in a discreet, confidential and non-judgmental manner. The dignity of those assisted is respected at all times. In many cases leading to the achievement of self-sufficiency in the longer term and the sense of self-worth this provides," added Mr O'Kennedy. Anyone who would like to make a donation to the work of the SVP in Edenderry, can send a cheque or draft to St Vincent de Paul Edenderry, c/o Parish Centre, Edenderry, or make a donation to the SVP Account in the Edenderry branch of Bank of Ireland or contact the confidential help line on 087 3131844.