Trócaire hits one million Christmas Gifts milestone

The Irish public have bought more than one million life-changing gifts since the year 2000 to support some of the world’s most vulnerable families, Trócaire announced at its annual Christmas Gifts launch.

Speaking at the Gifts of Love launch, Lorrha native and Trócaire’s Church Manager, Colm Hogan said: “This one million gifts milestone is testament to the extraordinary generosity of the Irish people. Despite the immense challenges of the last few years Tipperary supporters have continued to be incredibly generous to those most in need purchasing more than €20,000 worth of gifts last year.”

He said the Gifts of Love are hugely popular with Trócaire supporters and amidst all of the consumerism and spending associated with Christmas they give people an opportunity to buy a meaningful present from as little as €5 that will change the life of somebody in dire need.

This year's Gifts of Love collection includes two new gifts - the Gift of Winter Essentials (€25) to support Syrian families forced to flee their homes to refugee camps in neighbouring Lebanon. And the Family Food Basket €35 which provides basic food essentials and high nutrient food for malnourished children facing catastrophic hunger in the Horn of Africa due to the ongoing drought.

The broad range of gifts also include dignity packs to help young girls out of period poverty (€10) and the gift of help for grandparents who provide vital day-to-day support to help raise the next generation in a secure and loving environment. When children are orphaned by illness, accident or war, loving grandparents step in to raise their cherished grandchildren (€50).

The gifts can be purchased online at trocaire.org/gifts or by calling 1800 408 408.