Annual Report 2015
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Annual Report 2015 Help is given across the board, regardless of religious or ethnic background Protestant Aid dispenses every cent received from subscribers in grant aid Chairman’s Statement Increasing requests for expenditure increasing by over 8% to assistance despite a €805k compared with €742k in 2014. growing economy Our Charitable Services area has been extremely busy and mid-year Notwithstanding the fact that the we welcomed Ms Joyce Sparkes, economy grew significantly above who replaced Mrs Pat Adam as Case the European average, the demands Secretary - this area continues to for PA assistance increased on those be very well supported under our received in the previous year. Charitable Services Officer, Mr Geoff Scargill. As in previous years, Our Charitable Services Significant progress in we distributed well expenditure increased IT development in excess of one euro by over 8% to f805,000 f Our IT has been enhanced and this for every euro we compared with 742,000 enables us to process requests more received in donations in 2014 efficiently while our new website allows our supporters to donate online as The number of General Grants received well as keeping visitors to the site fully grew by 3% compared to 2014 - this informed on all the latest developments came on top of a growing number of and news. requests for educational assistance, As well as our own loyal donors, we resulting in our Charitable Services again received grants of €150,000 and €30,000 from the Department of This will result in a 56-bed state-of- Chief Executive retires Environment, Community and Local the-art facility which will be second to Government. As in previous years, we none. We are saying farewell to Mr Robin George (above) distributed well in excess of one euro We are retaining the existing frontage for every euro we received in donations. who has been our Chief of the present St John’s building and Executive for some twenty State-of-the-art facility our Chapel will also be refurbished to seven years as he takes a cater for spiritual needs. at new St. John’s well-earned retirement. development Special thanks to Dr Michael Webb and With responsibility for the Mr Gordon Richards for their untiring administrative and finance On the St. John’s House new work in this venture and also thanks to functions of the charities development, exciting times are ahead. the planning team. within the PA Group, it been an extremely busy Although some six months behind and varied role. During this time the number of schedule, the contractors have now Brabazon Trust employees has grown from twelve to over one arrived on site and the first stage is hundred and fifty as the work of the charities in Brabazon Trust caters for over one scheduled to be completed in April the PA Group has grown and developed. We wish hundred residents of whom fifty are in 2017, with full completion of the him and his wife Shirley many happy years of the Nursing Home area. project by the end of 2017. retirement. We are finding that in the Sheltered I am pleased to say that Robin will be continuing Housing section new potential with us in a caretaker capacity pending the residents are coming into us at a much New potential residents appointment of a new Chief Executive. are coming into us at a more advanced age and further care has to be provided in this area to suit Finally, my sincere thanks to all the Board much more advanced age their requirements. members and members of the various and further care has to be committees for their support over the last We continue to upgrade properties of year and for their ongoing dedication and provided in this area to suit Strand Trust in Pembroke Gardens and commitment. their requirements Seafort Crescent and we continually have requests for accommodation. Arthur Vincent, Chairman Charitable Services Report The stories that the confirm that there continues to be a huge statistics will never tell. need in our society, with General Grant Applications received through Clergy For many people, reports of our channels alone increasing by 13% in growing and dynamic economy are 2015 (this coming on top of a 32% overall often no more than irrelevant and increase in General Grant Applications alien concepts when compared to in 2014). their own difficult situations where unemployment, poor health and poverty are the stark realities of There is nothing abstract everyday life. about the need that exists GENERAL GRANTS BY NEED / VALUE Official CSO figures confirm that one in Ireland today - it is real One parent families and it hurts! 20% Ill health in five children is now at serious risk 28% of poverty, while one in ten is living in consistent poverty. These are children Thankfully, the generosity of our donors Addiction growing up in environments where the 2% continues to provide a beacon of light to choice often has to be made between those in need and we are very grateful for education, clothing and heating while this kindness. Other crises balanced with the very basic need of 7% putting food on the table. It’s not a pretty As always, we very much depend on your continued support - it is your help Unemployed / other picture but it’s happening every day. 43% that provides that light to so many At Protestant Aid, our own statistics families who need help. Connaught Ulster 11% 5% Munster 20% Dublin 38% Rest of Leinster 26% Every euro you give is re-distributed in The 2015 grant of €150,000 along with a Wife struggles charitable grants without deduction so subsequent top-up grant of €30,000 made with bills following your donations work hard in providing a huge difference to our work and is a the lifeline that alleviates the stress and vital component of our annual funding, husband’s death poverty in countless situations. The call particularly in the light of the continued on Protestant Aid for assistance continues demand for assistance. Problem: and increases year after year but the When her husband passed solutions we can provide in partnership There are many hidden heroes in away after a long illness, with our donors is significant. Protestant Aid - not least of these are Sarah was left with two the exceptionally hard-working charity Thank you so much for committee members who give many children and a very small your continued generosity unpaid hours of time and expertise as they income. Utility bills were - it is vital to our work. meet and assess specific cases relating weighing down on this Our Visitor Network continues to grow to a wide range of grant applications - young mother and she did and we are delighted to welcome Elizabeth sincere thanks to Robert Bell, Canon David not have the resources to Temple to the team. Elizabeth brings her Gillespie, Glynis Good, Jean Miller, Mary cope. considerable talents to the experienced Neill, Robert Neill, David Pierce and Alison panel of Mildred Gilmore, Phyllis Grothier Young for their unstinting dedication, Protestant Aid’s and Jenny Shaw who remain so generous compassion and hard work. Response: with their time and talents. We continue to operate on a strictly PA responded by supplying non-denominational basis in the funds to clear the utility bills As always, we are extremely Republic of Ireland and all cases and pay for a fill of oil. This grateful for our annual are handled with compassion and gave Sarah a fresh start and grant from the Dept. of the confidentiality, regardless of religious removed this financial stress or ethnic background. Environment, Community from her life. and Local Government Geoff Scargill, Charitable Services Officer New Case Secretary Appointment ……..“On the first day of the New Year, our family awoke to the river having burst its banks and our house being flooded - we were overcome with despair. At that moment, PA was we were homeless and we didn’t know what to do, where to go or who to turn to. delighted to Because of your help, we were able to find temporary accommodation while our home appoint Joyce was being cleaned and repaired, and we could provide security and safety to our Sparkes to children in the midst of this crisis we were facing. I cannot thank you enough for the role of your willingness to help us in our time of need.” Case Secretary ……“I was overwhelmed with gratitude when my Rector told me of your kindness. in May 2015 I will never forget this help as I start a new beginning in my life. You have made it following the easier at this difficult time - I can now look forward with hope as my future begins retirement of to take shape.” Ms. Pat Adam who filled the role with dedication and commitment for ten years. Joyce has brought significant skills Special Thanks to her new role, not least of all in document management and computer literacy. She has already The Department of the Environment, additional €30,000 amount for those made a significant contribution to Community & Local Government has with urgent needs, and as with all the streamlining and management been a consistent supporter of PA’s donations to PA, this was distributed of many administrative processes work over the years - in fact, since the without any deductions for overheads. as the responsibility of this mid-90s - and 2015 was no exception. PA is most grateful for this generous position continues to grow and The Department again provided an addition to its funds. develop. annual grant of €150,000 as well as an One parent families 20% Ill health 28% Addiction 2% Other crises 7% Unemployed / other 43% ALL GRANTS BY REGION Connaught Ulster 11% 5% Munster Illness causes Subscribers’ 20% financial despair Generosity Problem: Dublin 38% When MS struck unexpectedly, Fiona had to eventually give Thanks to the on-going generosity of Rest of Leinster 26% up her job due to the rapid loyal subscribers, who consistently acceleration of her illness.