Portaferry man appointed as President of North St Vincent de Paul

Portaferry resident Brendan O’Neill has been elected as Regional President for the Society of St Vincent de Paul in its Northern Region.

This is a volunteer role in which Brendan will have responsibility for the Society’s 1850 volunteers, 70 paid staff and 32 shops in Northern Ireland.

Brendan commented: “Our role is one of service to those in need and that need has increased year on year and will continue to do so, particularly with the advent of the Universal Credit benefit system.
“Now that the Christmas period is approaching we expect demands for our services to rocket, as they do every year at this time.  Our volunteers will give selflessly to ensure that the families who contact us can have toys and food for their children on Christmas morning that they perhaps wouldn’t have had without our intervention.”

Brendan continued:  “On behalf of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, a huge thank you goes out to the general public who support us and we ask for their continued support, particularly at this time.  We can’t do what we do without you.”

Anyone interested in supporting St Vincent de Paul should contact the regional office on 028 9035 1561.