A helping hand for the local homeless people

AN Omagh-based mental health awareness group is organising a fundraising raffle to help the growing number of homeless people on the streets of the town.

In the past month, concerns have been raised over the visible increase in the number of people begging and appearing to be sleeping rough in the centre of Omagh. At a meeting last week chaired by local councillor Barry McElduff, multiple statutory agencies have agreed to take a joint approach to tackle the issue. Amid these rising concerns, local mental health social support group, SOLACE, is reaching out a helping hand to the homeless by organising a fundraising raffle.

Andy Campbell, of SOLACE, said, “We would be really grateful if anyone knows of a business or individual who could donate a prize towards this. We want to raise as much as we possibly can so as we can buy quick-to-make foods such as noodles, porridge pots, biscuits and washing essentials, etc along with tea and coffee.

“We plan to go out and take these directly on to the streets to the homeless in different areas at the weekends or during the week, if the need arises during November/December and the lead-up to Christmas. Sleeping bags, blankets, coats, jumpers, hats gloves and scarfs are other much-needed essentials.

If anyone can help in any way to seek prizes for the raffle or donate items, all help would be appreciated.

Mr Campbell thanked everyone in the local community who has helped out in any way so far.

If you would like to donate to the fundraiser, please visit https://www.paypal.me/solace
fundraiser. For more information, go to the SOLACE Facebook page.