A CHARITY which supports some of the most vulnerable Irish people living in the north of England is inviting people across to globe to enjoy a Big Irish Breakfast next month.
The Fréa organisation, which is a partnership of Irish charities based in Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds, launched their fundraising initiative this month, which calls on the Irish community to support the charity while celebrating St Patrick’s Day.
The campaign, which has already seen fundraising fry-ups planned in the USA, Dubai and across Europe, comes as the organisation faces “rising needs” among the Irish communities that they serve.
“Over the last year, we’ve seen more people we work with struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, poor physical or mental health, social anxiety or isolation and domestic abuse,” Fréa’s Breege McDaid explained.
“These struggles mean they often miss out on wonderful days of joy and connection like St Patrick’s Day,” she added.
To support Fréa’s lifeline services for vulnerable Irish people, the charity is asking supporters to make a donation while they tuck into their St Patrick’s breakfast.
“Even better if you can take a photo and post it online to inspire others to do the same,” Ms McDaid says
“A breakfast is such a powerful symbol of Irish generosity, and we’re excited to see how far it spreads.”
Fréa is urging people to get involved in their campaign any way they can.
“A Fréa Big Irish Breakfast can be anything you want it to be, from a cup of tea to a full Irish,” says Ms McDaid.
“You can host a breakfast for friends, hop online and speak to family overseas or simply donate the price of your takeaway coffee.”
Every donation, big or small, changes lives, the organisation states.
“A takeaway coffee might cost £3, but a £3 donation to Fréa buys a box of 120 teabags for one of our dementia groups,” Ms McDaid says.
“At the other end of the spectrum, £100 provides safe temporary accommodation for a mother and her children fleeing domestic abuse.
“Every penny raised goes towards Fréa’s lifeline services for Irish people of all ages across the North of England.”
The Fréa Big Irish Breakfast initiative runs from March 11-17. For more information or to make a donation here.