Dorothy McGee, manager of Oxfam Mullingar, (left) with volunteer Olivia McGrath.

Oxfam Mullingar seeking volunteers

As little as four hours a week can make a big difference

Oxfam Ireland has launched an all island call for -people of all ages to join its team of dedicated shop volunteers.

During the Covid-19 lockdown earlier this year, Oxfam shops closed their doors for the first time in more than 60 years.

Now, due to the support of donors and customers, there is a growing need for volunteers to help with their global mission to beat poverty.

Dorothy McGee, manager of Oxfam Mullingar, said: “Sadly, not all of our volunteers are in a position to return to the shop just yet, and this, coupled with the generous volume of donations and support from our customers, means we need more people power to keep our shops operating at full capacity.

“People can give as little or as much time as they like - as little as four hours a week can make a big difference by helping to raise funds for Oxfam’s work worldwide.

"I would encourage anyone interested in lending some time to drop in for a chat.

"Our shop offers lots of opportunities to meet new people, learn new skills, and of course, have plenty of fun along the way.

“The commitment and enthusiasm of our volunteers enable Oxfam to change lives and work toward building a fairer and more sustainable world for everyone.

"They are the backbone of our network of shops and by giving a little of their time and creativity, each person makes a huge difference in supporting of some of the most at-risk communities in the world."

At the start of April, Oxfam shops, along with countless other businesses in Ireland, made the difficult decision to close – to protect staff, volunteers and customers – and to play their part in Ireland’s response to Covid-19.

Each shop continues to operate in line with government regulations and carries out all necessary safety measures to ensure the safety of volunteers, customers, donors, and staff alike.

Oxfam Ireland’s network of shops play a vital role in supporting their work in some of the world’s poorest countries, helping people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive as well as saving lives when disaster strikes.

The loss of income during this period dealt a massive blow to the capacity of Oxfam and their global mission to beat poverty and fight inequality.

If you feel you can help by volunteering, drop into Oxfam Mullingar at 3 Oliver Plunkett Street, call on 044 933 5474 or email the team at mullingar@oxfam.org.