Kilkenny people urged to support Christmas Voucher Appeal for Amber Women's Refuge

Amber Women’s Refuge has launched its Christmas voucher appeal urging local supporters to give the gift of choice to the women and children it supports and protects this Christmas.

Every December supporters start dropping gifts, hampers and toys into the refuge.  This year, Amber is urging its supporters to buy a gift voucher instead.

Great response to shoebox appeal from St Canice’s NS in Kilkenny

Pictures by Vicky Comerford

Lisa Morris, Manager, Amber Women’s Refuge told the Kilkenny People that 'buying a voucher, instead of an actual gift, means that the women we support can buy what they need for themselves and their families, not what we think they need'. 

"Gifting a woman a voucher can be very empowering for her, especially when she has experienced coercive control and financial abuse and couldn’t make any decisions about how she spent any money she had," she said. 

"A gift voucher helps to give her back some of that power and the freedom to choose what she buys for herself and her family."

According to Amber, vouchers in small denominations (€10 or €20) for the main local supermarkets are always so appreciated by the women it supports. Vouchers from Penneys are really useful too, while One4All vouchers are versatile and gift women the choice of where to shop and what to buy.

If you are in a position to help, please buy a gift voucher rather than an actual gift this Christmas. Your voucher will give the most impact to a woman and child in need.

Vouchers can be dropped or posted to Amber Women’s Refuge, Lacken, Dublin Road, Kilkenny, R95 NY04.