Willow Domestic Abuse Services is asking the community in Meath to support its 2026 Christmas Appeal, raising much-needed funds to continue providing essential services to women and children experiencing domestic abuse across the county.

The appeal was officially launched by Caolan Ward of Wolfe Tones GAA, Pamela Stone, CEO of Respa Beds, and Sharon Carolan and Stephen Doyle of Credit Union Plus, alongside Frances Haworth, CEO of Willow Domestic Abuse Services.

As part of the appeal, Credit Union Plus also today launched its annual member Christmas raffle, with all proceeds going directly to Willow Domestic Abuse Services to support women and children across Meath.

Speaking at the launch of the appeal, Frances Haworth, CEO of Willow Domestic Abuse Services, said:

"Each Christmas, we ask the community in Meath to show its support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse in our county. We know that for many women and children, home is not a safe place. There are women and children across our county living with violence, control and abuse, and the pressures of Christmas can make an already difficult situation even harder.

Last year, 188 women and children stayed with us in refuge, and we answered 1,661 calls to our 24-hour helpline. Overall, we support more than 700 women and children every year, and we are incredibly grateful to the families, communities and businesses across Meath who support us in doing that.

While State funding covers staff salaries and a portion of our operating costs, we still rely on grants and donations to provide additional essential services. This includes counselling for women, play therapy for children, activities for families and the ongoing maintenance of our refuge building."

Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. With schools and workplaces closed, normal routines disrupted and increased financial pressures, feelings of stress and isolation can be heightened. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, please remember that you are not alone and that support is available.

Willow Domestic Abuse Services is here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including throughout the Christmas period. Any woman who needs support can contact the free 24-hour helpline on 1800 46 46 46.

How you can support this Christmas

This year, you can support women and children affected by domestic abuse in a few ways:

• Donate securely online at www.willowdas.ie/donate
• To donate by cheque, email admin@willowdas.ie for our postal address.
• Organise a fundraiser with your club, business, family or community group. Get in touch with us on 046 902 2393 or email admin@willowdas.ie if you'd like to find out more or need any support getting started.
• Donate at any Credit Union Plus branch.

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Willow Domestic Abuse Services also welcomes gift vouchers of any amount for supermarkets, clothing stores, pharmacies and toy shops in Meath. For health and safety reasons, we cannot accept second-hand items, but we are happy to receive new children's toys.

Every donation helps Willow continue supporting women and children across Meath. We are grateful for the continued generosity of our community.