LOCAL people can help make Christmas wishes come true this festive season thanks to the annual North Down and Ards Women’s Aid (NDAWA) Giving Tree appeal.
The Giving Tree holds the Christmas wishes of children and young people, who along with their mothers, have left domestic abuse situations and sought the support from the charity.
Initially started by television presenter Esther Rantzen and the ChildLine charity, the Giving Tree appeal has enjoyed over 19 years of success thanks to the generosity of people across the borough, keen to support those in need.
Generous people who want to buy a gift can visit the charity’s Giving Tree at the Bloomfield Shopping Centre mall where they can find ideas of what the children would like to receive from Father Christmas.
Emalyn Turkington, North Down and Ards Women’s Aid chief executive officer, explained Christmas can be a ‘challenging’ time for families affected by domestic abuse.
Despite their ongoing funding difficulties, Ms Turkington said the charity would continue to support those in need.
“NDAWA continues to provide frontline services to women, young people and children affected by domestic and sexual abuse, even though resources are being stretched to the limit.
“The work of NDAWA is critical in working with women and children affected by domestic abuse in the Ards and North Down area.”
She said: “Christmas can be a challenging time for many families, even more so for families that live in an abusive environment. Your generosity through the Giving Tree is greatly appreciated during what can be a dark time for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
NDAWA has been supporting women and their children affected by all forms of domestic abuse from a current or former partner for over 40 years including, financial, sexual, emotional, physical and coercive control.
Domestic abuse is a serious crime that can happen to anyone regardless of background, religion, race, age or financial situation and over 90% of reported cases of such abuse are by men against women.
It is rarely a one-off event and it tends to escalate in frequency and severity over time. The long term effects on victims and their children cannot be measured but often leave a legacy of depression, damaged health and self esteem.
Advice, support and information is available from staff at the Bangor centre, with the main aim to encourage women to regain control of their lives and create a safe environment for themselves and their children.
Always mindful of the damaging effects violence has on children, Women’s Aid has developed a range of programmes for children and teenagers to help them deal with their feelings and to feel safe again.
For further information about support and the services provided by North Down and Ards Women’s Aid telephone: 02891 273 196.
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