Charities across Ireland are appealing to the public to donate generously, as many campaigns have been cancelled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, Trócaire’s Lenten campaign and children’s charity Bernardo’s Easter Egg Hunt 2020 have all been cancelled.

The work of these charities is more important than ever and they are reminding people they can still donate online.

Irish Cancer Society

Charities have cancelled their charity events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

At this time of year, the Irish Cancer Society would have seen yellow t-shirt-clad volunteers in every town centre toting buckets in support of them. Unfortunately, this will be the first year there will be no volunteers on the streets, no buckets or events.

Every year, more than 40,000 people are diagnosed with cancer and this number will remain the same, regardless of the pandemic.

Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: “There are approximately 200,000 people in Ireland living with and beyond cancer, many of whom are at a higher risk of developing a serious illness if they catch coronavirus. This is why it is more important than ever that we support people with cancer.”

The Irish Cancer Society has extended its cancer nurseline hours (a service that provides end-of-life care for people in their homes), also their volunteer-driven service to transfer patients to chemotherapy and other support services. As only 3% of its funding comes from the State, the society is calling on the public to donate online.

To donate

To donate, click here.

If you have cancer-related concerns and feel you may benefit from speaking with a counsellor, contact the Irish Cancer Society Nurseline on Freephone 1800 200 700; or email the Cancer Nurseline: cancernurseline@irishcancer.ie.

Trócaire

Charities have cancelled their charity events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Each year, teams from Trócaire travel all over Ireland throughout Lent to deliver talks, exhibitions and other events aimed at raising the funds needed to help millions of people around the world, all of which have now been cancelled.

A spokesperson for Trócaire said: “Our teams around the world will continue to carry out life-saving programmes, thanks to the generosity of people in Ireland. But we must do what we can to guard against spreading the virus and putting the people we work with at risk.

"The donations received across Ireland during Lent fund our work, helping vulnerable people around the world throughout the year. While we have cancelled events, our appeal continues."

To donate

To donate to Trócaire’s Lenten campaign, click here or phone 1850 408 408 (RoI) or 0800 912 1200 (NI).

If you have a Trócaire box, keep hold of it until such a time as you can return it safely, either through your local school, parish or Trócaire centre.

Barnardo's

Charities have cancelled their charity events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cadbury’s was due to host a charity Easter egg hunt for the children’s charity in the coming weeks. However, that too will no longer be taking place.

As an act of goodwill, the chocolate manufacturer has decided to donate €40,000 to the charity to mitigate any losses incurred.

According to Barnardo's, children who are living with domestic abuse, parental mental health challenges, neglect, acrimonious separation, family breakdown and addiction now face no escape as social distancing and isolation continues.

Barnardo's director of fundraising Mary Gamble said: “It is more important now than ever before to ensure we will continue to reach, and provide support to, children that need us most. I urge you to please donate what you can afford."

To donate

To make a donation, click here.

You can also donate €4 to Barnardo's by texting BARNARDOS to 50300.

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