'We have broken down on a number of occasions' Laois homeless charity needs new van

A Portlaoise charity who bring donated food from Laois to feed the homeless in Dublin are getting huge support in a fundraiser to replace their old van that regularly breaks down.

Portlaoise Action to Homelessness (PATH) volunteers go up twice a week without fail all year round to the capital, bringing a van stuffed with local donations of food, clothes and blankets.

Last May they launched a big fundraiser in hopes of raising €30,000 to replace the larger of their two vans. It is 16 years old and no longer fit for the drive.

“Help keep us on the road. We are feeding In excess of 500 people a week, including children,” PATH say.

“We are appealing to anyone that can help us towards our goal to replace our 2007 van. We are a registered charity run by volunteers. We are also currently supporting rough sleepers in Portlaoise and Portarlington.

“We support over 100 families and are unable to take any more at moment. We work with Block Project, Laois Domestic Abuse, MQI and MABS to support families in Laois.

“Our volunteer roles take us to Dublin twice a week to feed and clothe the ever increasing homeless population.

“On our table nights we have a mountain of food, tents sleeping bags, etc to get to Dublin, plus extra volunteers, which means we can only use our '07 van .

“Some nights as we leave the Church grounds in Portlaoise we are unsure if we will make it to Dublin,and if we will then also have worry of making it back.

“We have broken down on a number of occasions on the way to Dublin. We then have the nightmare of contacting people waiting for us, getting back to Portlaoise and the issue of food possibly being wasted. Thankfully so far we have been able to donate elsewhere.

“While all that is bad enough, it is the burden of letting down our homeless friends that weighs heavy on all volunteers .

“Some of our friends may not have eaten all day and are hoping for a bite to eat and maybe a fresh pair of socks before they rest their heads in a doorway or tent for the night, in the hope that tomorrow will be different.

“Please help us to brighten their tomorrow and supply a service that is so badly needed and relied on,” PATH say.

They have already held lots of fundraisers.

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Chairperson Irene will do a parachute jump in September.  Last Thursday, July 20 Redmond's Hair & Beauty held a 'tan in a van' fundraiser on Main Street to offer Forest Fest goers a free spray tan and donate.

The grand total is now over €25,400, with less than €5,000 now needed.

See the fundraiser via their Facebook page or on www.gofundme.com called “HELP. Our 07 van is dying and needs replacing”.