Oxfam spreads the Christmas spirit

The store is hoping to appeal to shoppers in the run-up to Christmas with its traditional Unwrapped cards including the gift of a goat or clean water, along with new items like accessories, Fair Trade chocolates, candles, crafts, games and even hip colouring-in books for grown-ups.

Oxfam’s Portadown Shop Manager, Agnes Quinn said: “Christmas is a crucial time for Oxfam Ireland with emergency relief being provided to refugees in conflict zones along with long-term projects helping families lift themselves out of extreme poverty and hunger.

“We hope people in Portadown will support our work this Christmas and help raise vital funds to continue Oxfam’s work. This includes providing clean water in countries like Syria and Iraq and supporting vulnerable unaccompanied children arriving in Europe.

“With gifts that give back starting at £1.50 for a brand new pair of gloves and from £3 for an Unwrapped card supporting cocoa farmers, there really is something for everyone. You can tick off your Christmas list with stocking-fillers, festive essentials and thoughtful present ideas that will be sure to please your family and friends – and help people further afield in crisis and poverty.”

Alternative gift card range ‘Unwrapped’ has new additions this Christmas – Long Life Learning (£10) gift supporting education for orphans and other children alongside Support a Budding Business (£42) helping women in extreme poverty.

The money raised by Unwrapped cards like Care for a Baby (£12) and Safe Water for a Family goes to emergency programmes, supporting people affected by conflict and natural disasters.

The popular Goat (£25) card is joined by the new Goat for Christmas card (also £25) which supports vulnerable communities and othe favourites include Chocolate (£3), A Clutch of Chicks (£15) and Educate a Girl (£19).

This year the Oxfam Portadown shop has a selection of new and Fair Trade gift items, including hip and quirky additions such as a cross-stitch craft kit (£4), colouring book for adults (£9) and a ‘grow your own Christmas tree’ set (£2).

Gifts are also available online at www.oxfamireland.org/gifts.