‘Action for Children’ say thanks to Port of Larne office for support

Children’s charity ‘Action for Children’ has highlighted how Port of Larne Office brought some seasonal magic to young people last month.
By Elinor Glynn
Published 26th Jan 2021, 10:00 BST
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According to the charity, Port of Larne Office pulled out all the stops at Christmas and brought in a haul of Christmas gifts for local Action for Children services.

Action for Children’s Secret Santa Appeal tugged the heart strings of the staff who made it their mission to ensure no child would go without a gift from Santa at Christmas.

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Action for Children helps children and young people across Northern Ireland through intervening early with family support and parenting programmes, running SureStart Nurseries, Fostering, Young

Action for Children NI Director, Lorna Ballard, welcomes huge haul of gifts from Port of Larne for vulnerable familiesAction for Children NI Director, Lorna Ballard, welcomes huge haul of gifts from Port of Larne for vulnerable families
Action for Children NI Director, Lorna Ballard, welcomes huge haul of gifts from Port of Larne for vulnerable families

Carer’s support, youth homelessness support, mental health programmes in schools, and by campaigning tirelessly to make life better for children, young people and their families.

Cheryl Brown, Area Fundraising Manager said: “The gifts that Port of Larne donated went to local families who would have gone without and that was the best Christmas present that any mum, dad or grandparent could ever ask for.

“A child woke up on Christmas morning with gifts their Secret Santa so kindly donated – how amazing is that.

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“Huge thank you to all those in Larne community who donated.”

Action for Children’s Secret Santa Appeal has been a great success this year raising over £11,000 in Northern Ireland, while also collecting Christmas gifts from local businesses and organisations, for children and young people in local communities who would miss out otherwise.

A survey, released in November by Action for Children and YouGov, taken by parents and children in Northern Ireland, revealed the fears of Northern Irish parents and children in the run up to December 25. A fifth (19%) of Northern Irish parents said they would cancel Christmas if they could and over half of NI children surveyed (55%) said their parents would be worried about making it a happy time for their family.

Cheryl said: “We see every day the financial struggle that families are going through, and we support them

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throughout the year, but Christmas is especially a financial strain with many families choosing buying gifts over heating or eating.

“It’s unthinkable but happens daily.”

If you or your workplace are interested in supporting Action for Children and would like to get involved by taking part in events, organising your own fundraising or volunteering you can get in touch with Cheryl Brown at

[email protected]

Related topics:LarneNorthern Ireland