Raphael launches fifth charity appeal to help those in need

Raphael launches fifth charity appeal to help those in need

21 November 2018

LOCAL man Raphael Mason has launched his fifth annual appeal for DePaul and this year he will also be supporting the district’s Home Start charity.

The Ballykinlar photographer started helping those in need following a chance meeting with a homeless man in Dublin in 2014 and has been overwhelmed by people’s generosity ever since in the run-up to Christmas.

The DePaul charity helps homeless people across Ireland and offers immediate and long-term support to people struggling to get by, while more closer to home Home Start, which is staffed by volunteers, supports local families.

Raphael met Martin, a homeless man living on the streets of Dublin, during a trip to visit family members five years ago.

The meeting underneath a railway bridge close to Pearse station had a profound impact on him and he subsequently organised an appeal as soon as he returned home.

Five years on, Raphael is once again helping homeless people like Martin whom he found lying on the street surrounded by pigeons in the middle of modern-day Dublin.

“In addition to supporting DePaul Belfast I am also helping Home Start in the run-up to Christmas. People are so generous at this time of year and I never cease to be amazed by the care and compassion they to show others who are not well off. I hope they will continue to support the appeal this year. Giving someone the gift of warm clothing makes a real difference and I am also collecting toys for children this year.”

Raphael is seeking donations of new, warm clothing and toiletries for men and women and children’s toys for his appeal in aid of DePaul and Home Start, with all the items distributed by both charities.

“Christmas is a time for giving and people across the district and beyond have been extremely generous in the past and I hope they will come forward again this year,” he continued.

Raphael launched his initial appeal in 2014 via social media and along with DePaul staff, was taken aback by the response.

“An increasing number of people are getting it tough and I hope my annual appeal can bring a little festive cheer to them this Christmas,” he continued. “The homelessness problem in the Belfast area in particular shows no sign of easing while, unfortunately, there will be children who will not have much in the way of presents this Christmas.”

Among the items Raphael is collecting for the homeless are thermal underwear, socks, hats, scarves, gloves, coats, hoodies, jumpers, toiletries, toothbrushes, toothpaste, boots, fleeces, sleeping bags and ruck sacks.

“I am collecting items for men and women and would prefer them to be new. If people have high quality used clothes I would accept them. I would also ask people to keep new and nearly new items in separate bags and label them clearly.

“People can lose their home for all sorts of reasons and can end up homeless through no fault of their own. These people do what they can to maintain their dignity and we should never be too quick to judge. The response to my previous appeals shows there are many people who care and want to help. Making a small donation can make a big difference.”

Raphael added: “The appeal response across the district in previous years was phenomenal and there were a number of people who were particularly generous. If I had taken a different route while in Dublin five years ago I never would have met Martin and most probably not launched an appeal.

“The fact that I did meet him paved the way for people across the district being given an opportunity to help others in need. It was an opportunity they grasped with both hands and I, along with all the people who have benefited since, cannot thank them enough. It is also nice to think that someone will receive something new at Christmas.”

Raphael is also grateful for the support of Peter and Ciaran Fitzpatrick, of Peter Fitzpatrick and Sons Estate Agents, and their staff, Joleen McKinney and Daniel Smyth, who gave him great support last year and were 

delighted at the response from the people of Downpatrick and surrounding areas.

Anyone wishing to donate to donate towards Raphael’s appeal this year can leave items at the Irish Street 

estate agency in Downpatrick.