Extra helpers handle record calls for charity

An army of volunteers has mobilised to help the St Vincent de Paul respond to record calls for help.

The charity, which took over one floor of Heineken Ireland’s headquarters in Cork for its Christmas food and toy hamper packing operation last year, has had to take over two floors of the brewing giant’s office block this year to cope with the increased demand.

“The figures simply don’t matter at the moment — we’re just trying to keep up,” the society’s regional vice-president Brendan Dempsey said.