Volunteers to help those that need it
NEW GROUP TO AID THOSE WHO'VE BEEN HIT BY CRIME
Volunteer Russell Kerley, branch secretary Deborah Mulvey, branch co-ordinator Rachel Pearson, National Chairperson Mairead Fearnon, Minister Dermot Ahern, branch chairperson Mary Dunne and volunteer Pat Burke at the launch of the Drogheda Branch of...
THE ballroom in the Boyne Valley Hotel was packed to the rafters last Friday night for the launch of the new Drogheda Branch of the Federation of Victim Assistance.
Over 150 individuals, community groups, charities and NGOs turned up to support the new voluntary group.
Representatives from An Garda Siochana from Drogheda and Ardee districts came to show their support, as did the Irish Coastguard and other emergency services.
Special guests included a delegation from the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime and the new Victims' Office.
Mary Dunne, the branch's chairperson, opened the event welcoming everyone and explaining the background of the branch.
The national Chairperson of the Federation for Victim Assistance, Mairead Fearnon then explained the rigorous selection and training process the volunteers went through.
Sergeant Catherine Kealy from Ardee spoke about some of the effects of crime on people and about the work of the community gardai in supporting crime victims.
The organisation's President Mr Derek Nally then described the work of victims' caring organisations over the last 25 years since he and others set up the Victim Support organisation.
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern, made the key note address complimenting the work of the federation, wishing the branch well and then presenting the six volunteers with their training certificates.
The launch was a phenomenal success, the turn out was really fantastic and sincerest thanks to all those individuals and groups who came to support.
'On top of that, we are delighted to say that we had many people offer to volunteer or help out in other ways and it looks like there might be an expansion of the Drogheda group in the near future, and perhaps one or two additional groups will be set up in the region this year,' said Drogheda Branch Coordinator Rachel Pearson.
Mary Dunne, added: 'We can give you support over the phone or face-toface. We visit you in your home by arrangement, if you want, or meet you somewhere else.'
