#SaffronAid3 Trolly Dash Huge Success

Saffron Aid 3 Trolley Dash a huge success

Report by The Saffron Gael

Gaels from across Antrim arrived in force to Sainsbury’s store in the Kennedy Centre in West Belfast on Tuesday night to participate in the 2nd Annual Saffron trolley dash, which is part of SaffronAid3.

The challenge had been set at the launch of SaffronAid3, an initiative started by Antrim GAA PRO, Sean Kelly in 2016, which encourages GAA fans across County Antrim to fill shoeboxes with useful items for vulnerable families and individuals, which will then be distributed by St Vincent de Paul in Northern Ireland (SVP) in the run up to Christmas.

For some families in Northern Ireland, the fast-approaching festive season is something to dread rather than celebrate, with many households having to forego presents as they choose between buying food or providing heat. In 2017, generous Antrim Gaels and their friends and families donated more than 1000 shoeboxes through the #SaffronAid2 charity initiative and it is hoped that even more can be collected and distributed this year, helping to make sure that as many families as possible wake up to something special to open on 25 December.

The Antrim Gael and their supporters at Tuesday night’s Trolley Dash as Sainsbury’s, Kennedy Cetnre. Included is St Vincent de Paul reginal vice president Archie Kinney and Sainsbury’s store manager Iain Semple.

Antrim GAA PRO, Sean Kelly, commented: “GAA clubs and supporters are wonderfully generous and we are delighted to do what we can to help those less fortunate than ourselves. This is our third year of running this very special appeal and we were overwhelmed by the generosity of Co Antrim Gaels in previous years, especially last year when 30 clubs gathered more than 1000 shoeboxes. We’re also delighted that Sainsburys Supermarket at the Kennedy Centre has very kindly let us loose in their aisles again with a sponsored trolley dash.

“We’re so pleased to be working with SVP once again and we hope that there is even more support this year as each shoebox or gift that is donated makes such a huge difference to those in need within our own communities.

£1000 of toys will go to the needy thanks to Sainsbury’s and Manager Iain Semple, John Jones Kennedy Centre , LOCC Solicitors ,O’Rourke McDonald Tweed solicitors , Quarter Accountants and St Endas GACHurlers, Gaelic footballers and Camogs who took part in the Trolly Dash ares seen here with Sainsbury’s store manager Iain Semple (left) and Kennedy Centre manager John Jones (right).