Press Releases19 Apr 18

Celebration of charities’ work as St Patrick’s Cathedral fund distributed

The work of 44 charities and organisations was celebrated on Tuesday evening (April 17) at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. Almost €125,000 from the cathedral’s Community and Charitable Fund has been distributed among the local, national and international charities and their contribution to society was honoured at a reception following Choral Evensong.

The fund, which was generated through collections at the Eucharist and donations at the candle stands during 2017, was allocated to charities working in the areas of Christian faith in action, health and wellbeing, alleviation of suffering, community support, inclusivity and education.

Speaking to the gathered representatives, the cathedral’s Dean, the Very Revd William Morton, said they were conscious of God’s blessing that through the ancient place of worship and the tradition of excellence of worship, history and faith, people continued to be drawn to the cathedral and be inspired by it. 

“It is so good that, through their response to the church and their experience of spirituality here, that what they contribute we in turn offer back to God by helping you, charity and community partners, to bring aid and support to those on the fringe, to those most in need of help,” he stated.

“So, in a real sense, this evening’s event is an opportunity to showcase your wonderful work in channeling resources to those who need help most. We are not wishing to ‘blow our own trumpet’ so to speak but, rather, express our gratitude at the extent of how others benefit. And they do so daily through the life of this cathedral through all the different aspects of our work here. And what is being done is forging and building up the community in terms of relationships,” the Dean added.

A total of €124,269.57 was collected in the Community and Charitable Fund in 2017.
Organisations who received support include: Alzheimers, An Cosan, ARC Cancer Support Services, Barnardos, Bru York Service, CAP – Care After Prison, Carmichael Centre, Christian Aid, Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough – Dublin’s Fair City, DSPCA, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Fundraising Account, Dublin & Glendalough Housing Appeal, Dublin University Mission to Chota Nagpur, Fettercairn York Horse Project, Focus Ireland Day Services, Irish Cancer Society, Irish Landmark Trust, Irish Penal Reform Trust, ISPCC Childline Services, Kevin Street Garda Youth Division Fund, Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice, Liberties Afterschool and Breakfast Club, Mageough, Merchants Quay Ireland, Mia Hair Restoration, Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services – Hospice Coffee Morning, Palmerstown Wildcats Special Olympic Club, Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, Peter McVerry Trust, Pieta House, POS Children’s Education Fund, Protestant Aid, RADE, RAF Benevloment Fund, RAF Benevolent Fund – Battle of Britain, Royal British Legion, SARI (Sports Against Racism Ireland), Shannon’s Hopeline, South West Inner City Network, SPCK Prayers on the Move, Spirasi, The Alice Leahy Trust, The Asra Hawariat School Fund, The Hospice Foundation and The Mendicity Institution.

Support was extended in other ways than direct funding, including collaboration with other organisations such as the Road Safety Authority of Ireland, Dublin Fire Brigade, An Garda Siochana and many more.

Photography by Lynn Glanville