Public asked to donate unwanted gifts to homeless

People have today been asked to donate their unwanted Christmas gifts to the homeless.

Staff at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral will give them to Crosscare who will distribute them to the less-well off throughout 2011 and use them as presents next year.

Crosscare intends to sell the surplus gifts if the appeal is as successful as it was last year, using the money for their homeless shelters and services across Dublin.

Fr Pat O’Donoghue, from the Pro Cathedral, said the response to the appeal was growing every year despite the tough economic times.

“We are hoping that, even despite terrible weather conditions, people will make the effort to bring their unwanted gifts to the crib in the Pro-Cathedral - this year more than ever, we know they will make a big difference,” he said.