Kilcullen Homeless Awareness Group

Unfortunately, this year we were not in a position to hold our annual fundraiser for Michael Garry House Hostel for the Homeless, located in Newbridge, writes Roy Thompson.

Tim Gallagher of the St Christopher Conference of St Vincent de Paul, which runs the Hostel, tells me that demand is greater than ever and funding to keep providing this essential service is stretched to the limit.

The plight of the Homeless is even more acute in the current climate - both meteorological and fiscal; recent news reports of the deaths of homeless people sleeping rough in Dublin bear this out all too well.

I urge all readers, in this season of goodwill, to remember the homeless and if you can spare a few euros it would do so much to provide hot meals, warm beds and hope to the numerous people and families who turn to the hostel for shelter.

You can donate at Bank of Ireland, Kilcullen - Sort Code: 90-11-40 Account No. 11430516 Account Name: Kilcullen Homeless Awareness Group.

Thank-you for your kindness, and have a Happy, Peaceful and Safe Christmas.