Electric Ireland Press Release
- €200,000 donation made to support families this Christmas
20 December 2018
Electric Ireland are proud to once again support St. Vincent De Paul at Christmas with a donation of €200,000. Christmas can be a difficult time for many families around Ireland that are struggling financially, St. Vincent De Paul helps those families deal with the burden of Christmas as well as throughout the year.
Electric Ireland are also a long-time supporter of the Young SVP National Youth Development programme. Within the programme, which is rolled out through schools throughout the country, young people are offered opportunities to learn about SVP, about social justice and about how to engage in social action in a positive, purposeful and meaningful way.
Speaking about the association Marguerite Sayers, Executive Director, Electric Ireland says: “For many years, Electric Ireland has worked with and supported SVP in their efforts to assist vulnerable and fuel poor customers. We work together in helping customers who are experiencing issues around debt management and in particular, customers who are having difficulty paying their energy bills. Electric Ireland are proud to make this donation of €200,000 to this year’s Christmas appeal."
Andy Heffernan SVP National Secretary said: "The support over the years from Electric Ireland is very much appreciated. This support helps the work of our membership of over 11,000 volunteers as they assist people who are struggling with the effects of poverty in every city and town throughout the country
Despite the improvement in the national economic figures we continue to receive a very high number of calls for help, approximately 1,000 a day, at this time of the year.”
Electric Ireland are a long-time supporter of the Young SVP National Youth Development programme. Electric Ireland have been supporting that programme for the past six years and their support has helped the programme to expand the number of schools it serves. The number of schools involved in the programme has grown from 71 schools in 2012/2013 school year to 213 schools in the 2018/2019 academic year. The programme focuses on social action within the ethos and mission of SVP. Young people are offered opportunities to learn about SVP, about social justice and about how to engage in social action in a positive, purposeful and meaningful way.