Image of the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan
In the aftermath of one of the biggest storms to hit the Philippines The Annual Craft Fair in Sandymount will donate its proceeds to the charity Christian Aid. The craft fair will take place at Christ Church and Sandymount Market tomorrow between 11 am and 4 pm.
“As a church community we are aware of what we have, it’s a part of our ethos,” said James Bailey, a local florist who helps run the craft fair every autumn. “It’s a part of our belief in sharing and looking after others.”
The craft will sell homemade jams, quilts, Christmas decor, pottery and children’s clothes, all profits from these items will be donated to charity.
“The feedback has been so good, there’s one man I see come in an buy 6 pots of jam every year,” said James.
The craft fair is held every autumn run by James and a handful of local participants. The proceeds are always donated to a charity. In the past, the fair has fundraised for The Irish Child Foundation and Christian Aid.
“We’re impressed by the community spirit,” said Peter Byrne, the Church and Community Manager for Christian Aid. “We’re so impressed by how the community is coming together, the generosity that has been shown for past appeals – like the Indian Ocean disaster and Syria – it’s a real story of generosity.”
Peter said that just this morning a man walked off the street and gave the charity €1,000.
The proceeds of the fair are being donated to Christian Aid, in response to Typhoon Haiyan, which ravaged the Philippines killing thousands and leaving almost 670,000 people without a home. In one instance, the city of Tacloban, which according to Christian Aid is home to almost a million people, has been flattened.
Christian Aid have a donation page on their website www.christianaid.ie where you can choose to donate from as little as €25.
Image above of the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan
By Liam Cahill
