Charity’s new website expands its services to Irish abroad

BÓTHAR, the Limerick based charity, is casting its message further afield to Irish people living abroad, with the launch of a website.

Set up 20 years ago to send livestock to 35 countries, the charity helps 5,000 Third World families every year to source their own milk and other animal products.

The new website is aimed at strengthening contact with donors and expand online fundraising.

Bóthar chief executive David Moloney said: “When Bóthar was first established we relied heavily on word of mouth and direct mail to spread the message about global poverty. The work Bóthar was doing to enable families to help themselves out of destitution.

“Now, thanks to the internet, we are able to instantly communicate with a much wider audience at home and abroad. This includes our Irish abroad who want to make a real and tangible Irish donation by way of our livestock shipments.”

At present, online donations account for about 15% of the charity’s income, a figure it hopes to increase as a result of the new service.

Mr Moloney said: “Not only does it mean donations are received instantly but the cost of processing them is also far less than the conventional means of receiving a cheque in the post— ensuring that we maximise donations for the benefit of those in most need.

“With online donations, we save on the time it takes to process the gift, lodge the cheque and issue a receipt, as well as postal and banking charges.”

The new website will help boost its Christmas campaign as the public can visit the website, purchase gifts online and have them sent directly to the recipient by post or email.

Mr Moloney said: “Last Christmas, more than 2,000 people did their Christmas shopping with us online, donating almost €300,000. This year with the new website we hope that the figure will be much higher.”

As well as learning about the work carried out by Bóthar, visitors to the new website are also able to see where their money goes, including the percentage of donations which go to meet the cost of administration. There is also an online shop which sells Bóthar gifts and merchandise all-year-round.