Newtownabbey Borough Council has once again teamed up with Church Action on Poverty Northern Ireland (CAP-NI) to support their 2012 Heat or Eat Campaign, which aims to help vulnerable families warm their home over the Christmas period. Also supporting the campaign is Antrim Borough Council, Danny Kinahan MLA, Abbey Sure Start, Newtownabbey and Antrim Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Newtownabbey Methodist Mission and Antrim Home Start.

The shocking reality for many families living in the Newtownabbey area is that they are faced with a stark choice in the run-up to Christmas – heating or eating.  The increasing cost of home heating combined with rising living costs and low temperatures have placed some young families in a desperate predicament. 

It is against this backdrop that CAP-NI set up a central fund to help families in need of practical assistance with heating bills. Through donations from individuals, churches, community groups and businesses the 2011 appeal made a real difference to the lives of 17 families struggling to heat their homes in the Newtownabbey area. 

Commenting on the 2012 appeal, Wendy Brolly from the Council’s Environmental Services commented;

“Newtownabbey Borough Council recognises that all the services it provides impacts on the health and well being of its citizens. The Council also recognises the need where possible to develop new services in partnership with others in response to the needs of its local residents. The Council is delighted to be involved in the Church Action on Poverty “Heat or Eat 2012 Appeal”. We look forward again to working with CAP-NI to help some of the most vulnerable families in our Borough trying to ensure that for the Christmas period at least they don’t have to make the choice between heating or eating.”

The aim of the campaign is simple - to help as many vulnerable families and individuals over the Christmas period as we can.

Donations for the campaign should be sent to Mrs. Rosemary Mateer, 2 Bridge End Road, Templepatrick, Ballyclare, BT39 0DB