By Julie Waters
LOCAL people can help make Christmas wishes come true thanks to the annual North Down and Ards Women’s Aid 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 support from the charity.
Initially started by television presenter Esther Rantzen and the Childline scheme, the Giving Tree appeal has enjoyed over 20 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 Lesley Bloomfield shopping centre mall where they can find ideas of what the children and young people would like to receive from Father Christmas.
The local Women’s Aid charity has been supporting women, children and young people affected by all forms of domestic abuse, from physical to financial and psychological control, for over 40 years.
A spokeswoman for North Down and Ards Women’s Aid said: “Christmas can be a particularly sad and lonely time for families we support, who either are living in refuge, have left refuge or live in the community.
“We find women need more support with their finances as they are trying to manage on their own for the first time, with a reduced income and no support.”
The spokeswoman said that domestic abuse was a ‘serious crime that strikes at the heart’ of the communities in Ards and North Down.
She said: “Domestic abuse in Northern Ireland has a concerning rate of domestic homicides and needs urgent attention and action from government. It 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.”
Stating that 24 women had been murdered by men in Northern Ireland since 2020, the spokeswoman said domestic abuse was ‘rarely a one-off event and it tends to escalate in frequency and severity over time’.
She said: “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 and abuse has on children and young people, 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.
