A West Belfast community has come together to launch a Christmas appeal for children's toys.
Sporting teams, well-known faces, community groups and local people from Lenadoon, met on Friday morning to pledge their support for the area. Hoping to collect donations of toys and vouchers for older children, the appeal is through Glen Parent Youth Group.
Based on the Suffolk Road, in the heart of Lenadoon, Glen Parent provides support to youth in the surrounding areas. Those who have backed their latest campaign, have been hailed by organisers.
Read more: West Belfast man sheds 12 stone after struggling to walk
Speaking to Belfast Live, Robert Sands and Karen Nugent, said that no matter what they ask, the community is always there to support.
"Internally, working with young people, you hear conversations which show that people are getting it tighter this year," they added.
"With Christmas coming up, and the prices of food, gas and electric increasing too., anybody who may have been lucky enough to store away £20, will now be using that to heat their home, or clothe [themselves], whatever the case may be. Through the appeal, we will hopefully alleviate. not for everybody, but for anybody that is struggling in the community.
"We want the community to know that there is hope out there, and that there are people who care. The whole community has come together and we are all singing off the same hymn sheet. We want to collect toys and vouchers for families in need.
"Everybody has their own opinions on the area, if they are not from the area. When you are from Lenadoon, you don't see it in a bad light. There has been a dark cloud in recent times, but we know through previous experiences, that when we ask, the community always comes together.
"There is hope out there and we will come together to help out as best as we can."
In recent weeks, Glen Parent Community Group has seen an increase in poverty in the area and people cutting back on essentials. They have been providing hot food each night for their youth members, to try and alleviate some pressures for families.
They say they approached local sporting organisations and gyms to work in partnership with their team and Lenadoon Womens Group to facilitate and organise the toy appeal. Sarsfield GAC, Donegal Celtic FC, St Paul's GAC. St Oliver Plunkett FC, Gleann ABC, Tullymore Swifts FC, Wand H Boxing Promotions, Acquinas FC, Lab Fitness and Emerald Boxing Club are now invovled.
Each of the organisations are organising a drop off day where their members and families can leave toys, vouchers or donations. These will then be brought to the Glen Community Complex for distribution.
For more information you can contact Glen Parent Facebook or Robert or Michael at 02890 585544.
Video by Belfast Live videographer Dylan Hegarty.
READ NEXT:
Pre-pay electricity meter emergency credit amount under discussion
NI consumers could save hundreds by switching energy supplier
Belfast bar forced to reduce opening hours due to rising costs
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
